The Safe Driving Initiative

The Safe Driving Initiative

A senior at Western High School, Hasan had a hectic morning as he woke up late to the snooze alarm on his phone. When making a U-turn while driving to school, Hasan saw a car speeding up, but it was already too late as it slammed into his silver minivan. “A car accident in the intersection of Central Boulevard near Western High School was reported, a seventeen-year-old and two fifteen-year- olds were rushed to a nearby hospital” school officials said. This was the news throughout the school corridors.

Hasan required a knee brace. However, his brother Tom sustained more significant injuries resulting in a neck brace, temporary memory loss, and the use of a wheelchair for the remaining fourth months of the school year. Johana, Hasan’s friend, was luckier as she was released from the hospital that same day. Later, according to the recollection of the accident from my friend Johana, I learned that Hasan was driving recklessly. Unfortunately, tragic accidents such as this are not uncommon in the community.

According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator, “Every 14 minutes someone dies in a motor vehicle crash, every 10 seconds an injury occurs…” Fortunately, the community can take steps to reduce the number of car related deaths by providing a comprehensive driving education to new drivers, to increase the safety of drivers on the road. Having a comprehensive driving education curriculum should be a top priority within our communities to stress the importance of safe driving and the dangers of reckless driving to potential drivers. Moreover, behind the wheel instruction is beneficial to provide all new drivers with the adequate experience of dealing with incoming traffic, and aggressive drivers while receiving proper supervision from a qualified driver. Hence, a comprehensive driving education curriculum will enhance, teach, and equip drivers with the necessary skills, and technical maneuvers to operate a vehicle. Thus, promoting safe driving and therefore reducing the number of driving fatalities.

Besides having an intensive driving educational curriculum, the motor vehicle administrator (MVA) and community can work synchronously to reduce the number of car related deaths. For example, the MVA can conduct a survey throughout the community asking drivers what driving maneuvers they need to refine. From this survey the MVA can provide a mandatory continuous driving education program that requires drivers to practice under supervision the maneuvers that drivers had the most difficulties with. While the community can provide a follow-up and notify the MVA of infractions and driving concerns in the area.

Lastly, steps that I can take to be a better and safer driver are to ensure the direction signals are on when changing lanes and pay close attention to both rear-view and side mirrors while making a U-turn. By doing so I can be a more effective driver and ensure the safety of others on the road as well as those of the community.

**Names and other identifying information have been changed to protect individual’s privacy**