Thirteen Thousand

Thirteen Thousand

Thirteen thousand—a number that represents the amount of people in the United States that pass away as a result of irresponsible driving each year. It is a number that carries weight and burden for many. It is a number that could be prevented. It is a number that we can all learn from. Thirteen thousand.

Drivers education is very important when it comes to reducing the number of vehicle-related deaths. Research done by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has proven that teens involved in drivers education are less likely to engage in a collision or traffic-violation. Learning how to follow safety precautions and manage stressful situations on the road can assist in lowering the prodigious number. Drivers education can teach vital concepts to prevent accidents such as always wearing a seatbelt, never driving under the influence of alcohol, and certainly never sneaking a glance at your hand-held device. Many times I have passed by drivers, their faces lit up by their illuminous gadget.

In fact, I have sat next to someone who was using their phone while driving. It was late at night and my friend was driving on a busy highway. I politely asked if he could put his phone away and focus on the road, but he shrugged if off and continued his distraction. A few seconds later, I heard the crunch of metal against metal, and my body jolted forward from the impact. I felt the seatbelt push against my chest as I inhaled a gust of air. I looked over to my friend who displayed a petrified look on his face—a look that I will never forget. Thankfully, all who were involved in the accident were unharmed due to our utilization of seat belts. From that point on, my friend vowed to never sneak a glance at his phone while driving again. It took a terrifying experience to teach my friend a valuable lesson. However, it shouldn’t have to take a near-death experience to grasp the concept of focusing while driving. Each year, thirteen thousand people never receive the opportunity to learn and apply the same lesson.

To deplete this immense number, we must educate all drivers before they hit the road. New laws may need to be installed to require that all people take a course related to driving. People would become more aware of the irresponsible driving issue. Reducing the number of uneducated drivers would make the road a safer environment. In addition, we can make the driving and written tests more difficult to ensure that all drivers have a sufficient understanding of the rules of the road. Stricter admission into the driving world may benefit us in the long run. Whether we strengthen the age restrictions or test questions, we must enact some sort of change to achieve different results. However, not all of us have the power to install these rules. We must make little adjustments ourselves to ensure that the alarming number decreases.

For example, we must abide by the speed limit at all times. By driving faster than what is intended on a particular road, you are putting others in danger. As speed increases, so does the braking distance. You receive less time to react to potentially catastrophic situations. Reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), speeding was the leading factor in the cause of death for 29% of people involved in motor vehicle crashes in 2013.

Another example of how we can reduce the ever-growing, devastating number is through steering clear of alcohol and drugs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol took the lives of more than 10,000 drunk drivers in 2012. One must call a cab or claim a designated driver when necessary. Driving under any impairment is dangerous—including lack of rest. We must receive an adequate amount of sleep before driving to ensure that our reaction time and reasoning is up-to-par. If you are falling asleep on the way home, you must pull over and take a power nap before continuing your journey home. Taking the time to rejuvenate your brain is necessary when performing advanced neurological tasks such as driving.

In conclusion, understanding and performing all of the above safety precautions is imperative while driving. Even when we are unable to introduce new regulations regarding road safety, we are still able to abide by the rules already put in place. Wearing your seatbelt, eliminating all distractions, driving the speed limit, and avoiding alcohol and drugs can change the world of driving. Together, we can make 13,000 represent the number of people who avoided an accident through their education and focus.