The Significance of Safe Driving

Jessica Nesler

November 30, 2020

The Significance of Safe Driving

A study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years found that driver’s education significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are seventy-five percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, twenty-five percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and sixteen percent more likely to have an accident, the study showed. Teens taking driver education are less likely to be involved in crashes or to receive a traffic violation during their first two years of driving. Since teen crashes and fatality rates are highest at ages sixteen through eighteen, these reductions are especially meaningful. Driver education appears to make a difference in teen traffic outcomes at a time when risk is highest. In order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, you have to be a smart driver and follow these steps: accommodate your driving to the weather conditions, do not text and drive, follow the speed limit, be confident with the vehicle you are driving, and always be cautious of other drivers around you. Always think of safety first. Always wear your seat belt and make sure the passengers in your car are strapped in as well. Driving in rain and snow can be different and scary if you are not used to it. Make sure to practice how to change your driving in those conditions to be safe. Never drive while distracted. A text or phone call can wait until you have safely arrived at your destination. If the text or call is urgent, then pull over. You should always follow the speed limit. They are set for safety precautions. Getting somewhere on time in a rush is not worth a wreck or a speeding ticket. Most wrecks are the other driver’s fault. It is so important to be cautious of those around you because it can eliminate the chances of getting into a car crash. Once I was involved in a car crash with a friend. The weather was dark and raining, so the road was a little slick. She turned a curve too fast and hydroplaned off of the road into a deep ditch. Thankfully everyone involved in the accident had on their seat belts and was not injured. It was definitely a learning experience for everyone involved to always stay cautious and follow speed limits in order to drive responsibly. To be a better and safer driver, I drove my car for a year while I had my permit in order to be a fully confident driver when I turned sixteen. I also completed driver’s education and made sure to study the whole book we received during the course. I even asked my driver’s ed teacher for extra hours on the interstate so that I could get more practice to feel comfortable driving in that type of surrounding. I can help others become safer on the road by teaching them skills I have learned that they might not know and be supportive by helping them improve their driving skills.