Drivers ed and Driver Safety

Drivers ed and Driver Safety

The major importance of drivers ed is that it teaches drivers how to maintain road safety, which is essential in reducing road deaths. Particularly, it introduces the drivers to traffic laws and emphasizes on the necessity of strict adherence to the laws in the avoidance of road fatalities. Moreover, drivers ed emphasizes on embracing the concept of defensive driving. Specifically, this concept encourages drivers to be mindful of their surroundings and other road users by anticipating and considering conditions and actions likely to cause accidents such as jaywalking and running the red light or the stop sign (Agrawal, Amit, and Geetha 29). Moreover, drivers ed emphasizes the significance of vehicle inspection before getting to the road to ensure that all systems are working properly, such as signal lights, brakes, and steering.

The number of deaths associated with driving can be reduced through 4 major steps. Firstly, speed bumps should be mounted near schools and residential areas to regulate vehicle speeds to reduce pedestrian deaths (Agrawal et al. 114). Secondly, the number of road deaths can be reduced through the introduction of safe mobility alternatives, such as public transit use, as opposed to private vehicles in high traffic cities. The following step involves emphasizing improvements in the enforcement of traffic laws by imposing higher penalties to drivers who do not adhere to speed limits, apply child restraints, avoid driving under the influence, and wear seatbelts (115). The fourth step entails speeding up of emergency care and response through creating a coordinated communication system among ambulance services, medical teams, fire services, and local police.

I do not have a first-hand experience of a vehicle accident. However, I have witnessed irresponsible behavior from my family members and friends. One of the instances is when I saw two of my friends preparing to drive while intoxicated with alcohol after attending a celebratory dinner. Subsequently, I have seen one of my family members engaging in street racing. I consider driving under influence and street racing as irresponsible driving because the former impairs the driver’s judgment, and the latter endangers the safety of other road users, leading to more road deaths.

As a driver, I can ensure that I become a safer and better driver as well as well as aid others in becoming safer on roads through 3 measures. First, I can ensure that I match my vehicle speed with every traffic on the motorway to save other drivers from applying breaks and changing lanes unnecessarily, and avert avoidable road accidents. Secondly, I can ensure that my knowledge of traffic rules and driving skills is up to date to avoid situations that would endanger the lives of other road users. Thirdly, I can ensure effective communication with other road users by using indicators appropriately to enable them to know my next move, which is essential in avoiding confusion and making everyone safer on the road.

Work Cited

Agrawal, Amit, and Geetha R Menon. Road Traffic and Safety. Nova Science Publishers, 2017.