Dangers of the Road

Dangers of Driving: To Save a Life

In my state of Pennsylvania, there has been reported 1,103 fatal crashes due to motor vehicles. For a state with a population of 12,807,060, that number accounts for roughly less than 1% of the drivers ranging from the ages of 16 to 64. However, while the statistics show that there isn’t much of significance there is the fact that those individuals deaths remain a prominent scar in their loved one’s hearts. In a society where technology can pose as a helpful tool, it also becomes more of a distraction for daily activities. Drivers ed calls for the new upcoming generation of drivers to pay close attention to ensuring that crashes don’t end up costing more than a dent in a car. According to many researchers and engineers, technology has been “doing more harm than good.” in that drivers have begun to view the additional safety features implemented within the cars as reasons to not fear or respect the rules of the road.

Before getting behind the wheel, take time to inventory what you have and switch off all technological distractions from Apple watches to even Bluetooth devices. Inform your family and friends that unless it’s an emergency any calls or texts will be ignored while you are driving. Pay close attention to street signs, and other road signs in order to prevent the death of your close ones and of other individuals loved ones. Wear seatbelts and make sure your sitting area is clean and ensure that any passengers know to remain respectively quiet. Remove any hanging accessories and place any backpacks out of the open area so that if there’s a sudden halt the backpack isn’t flung into the windshield or injures the driver. Road rages can happen but remain cool and collected and ignore those who succumb to such reckless driving attitudes. The brakes are your friends, while the accelerator can pose as a temptation so drive slowly; remember “slow and steady wins the race”.

While I have yet to be qualified as a driver, I have seen many crashes as my family travels on long drives. My parents have also gotten into crashes that have ended with my mom having to get neck surgery even though the fault is of the other drivers. Even for my father, when I am with him while he is driving often forgets about respecting the rules of the road and sometimes is on his phone. Whenever he is on his phone, as the second eyes on the road for him I become extra alert and inform him on sudden traffic changes. As a new driver, I have already resolved to place all technological distractions away along with warn everyone on how strict I will be while I’m driving. Since driving is a privilege not a gift to everyone, I will continue to ensure that I protect other drivers and myself from crashes that could otherwise be prevented by being extra respectful towards the road.