Name: Carmrynn Cutchin
From: Greensboro, NC
Votes: 0
DRIVER EDUCATION
Drivers ed is essential in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. A new study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years found that drivers ed significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. Young drivers who have not completed drivers ed are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident, and 16 percent more likely to have an accident, the study showed. Teens taking drivers ed are less likely to be involved in crashes or to receive a traffic violation during their first two years of driving,” the researchers concluded. According to the Nebraska Prevention Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, “Because teen crashes and fatality rates are highest at ages 16-18, these reductions are especially meaningful. Drivers ed appears to make a difference in teen traffic outcomes at a time when risk is highest.”
According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 40,000 people in the United States lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2018. Therefore, drivers should take extreme precautions in order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. There are steps that drivers should take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. First, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all passengers use their seatbelt. Second, the driver should not operate a motor vehicle if he/she is impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance. Third, the driver should drive at a speed advised by law and that is safe taking into consideration the conditions of the road. Fourth, the driver should never allow distractions while operating a vehicle. Common distractions include electronic devices, the radio dial, and passengers in the vehicle.
Fortunately, I have never been involved in a motor vehicle accident nor witnessed family or friends drive irresponsibility. However, drivers should always operate a motor vehicle in a safe way by incorporating these actions. First, the driver should never allow distractions to interfere with safely operating a motor vehicle. Second, the driver should complete routine maintenance on his/her vehicle. It is important to check tires, brakes, fluid levels, lights, wipers, and other items as mentioned in the owner’s manual. Third, the drive should always wear his/her safety belt and ensure that all passengers are wearing their seatbelt, regardless of the distance traveling. Fourth, the driver should properly position his/her hands on the steering wheel. By properly positioning his/her hands on the steering wheel, the driver receives more stability and control of the motor vehicle. Fifth, the driver should only operate a motor vehicle if he/she is well-rested. Finally, the driver should maintain a safe distance from other vehicles in order to retain a safe cushion around the vehicle and have sufficient time to respond if necessary.
It is imperative to be a safe and educated driver. By doing so, the number of deaths, as a result of driving, will drastically reduce.
