The Importance of Safety on the Road

Katie Drafall

14 October 2020

The Importance of Safety on the Road

Every year, thousands, if not millions, of people are killed or injured in motor vehicle accidents. Accidents can happen all the time; driving to school, work, a restaurant, or to a friend’s house. Even though it may be difficult, drivers need to work together by knowing how the guidelines of the road work in action. Taking precautions and being careful is one of the many things that drivers can do to lower the chances of getting hurt on the road.

Drivers have been given many guidelines that must be followed. These include speed limits, lines on the road, stop signs, lights, and more. Before being able to drive, prospective drivers need to pass both the permit and license test. To get a license, drivers first need a permit, which has its limits, not being a full license. To get a permit, you must pass a test above a certain score. The test covers information and rules of the road such as: how drivers must turn from road to road, the proper Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), and the meaning of road signs. Drivers must practice driving with their permit for a designated amount of time before they are able to apply for a license.

One of the main causes of motor accidents is distracted driving. All drivers can be reckless. Some may be on their phones, eating, or blasting music instead of paying attention to the road. Some drivers may be distracted by other things, such as looking at billboard advertisements or looking at the car wreck that is on the side of the road. There are many things that could detriment the focus of a driver. The best way to prevent distracted driving would be having the willpower to stay focused and safe. Drivers can look at the road ahead, make sure that they are driving properly, stop themselves from eating while on the road, and set their phones to Do Not Disturb. Drivers should take everything that could be a distraction out of their driving environment or vicinity.

Another known, major cause of vehicle accidents revolves around driving under the influence. When people ingest alcohol, medication, or other types of non-sobering entities, their perception and focus will become distorted. Drivers may not be able to properly analyze their surroundings. For example, they may not see the car that is going to turn into their lane, leading them to rush round, expecting nothing to be there, causing a crash where both drivers plus passengers could be hurt or killed. Although drivers are not necessarily under the influence when they are tired, driving while drowsy or sleepy can be categorized under “driving under the influence.” Just as when drivers are drunk, driving when sleepy could cause drifting off, hasten the ability to analyze the situation, and be unable to see the road and the surroundings properly.

When drivers follow the rules and distance themselves from distractions, less accidents will be caused and the chances of being hurt in an automobile related accident is lowered. Instead of eating while at the wheel, drivers can wait until they get to a stop to eat their fast food on the way to work. Instead of texting their friend, drivers can put their phone on Do not Disturb and focus on the road ahead. Being smart and not driving under the influence is a major key to preventing accidents. Do not endanger others by deciding to drive after going out to drink or smoke with friends. Follow all the rules that you were told about when taking the permit and license test, and be a cautious driver, even if others decide to be reckless.