The Run Down of Driving: How to stay safe!

Essay

Ahveana Couverthier

More than ever before, the importance of being a safe and educated driver is literally the difference between life and death. It has been said that, “a road to destruction is paved with distractions,” and this is most true regarding young people and driving. According to the Federal Communications Commission, a National Occupant Protection Use Survey reports that handheld cell phone use continues to be the highest among 16-24 year-old drivers.  

Teen crashes and fatality rates are highest between the ages of 16-18, therefore when proper drivers ed is provided, we can be safer on the road and we can save lives. By taking drivers ed in school, young people are less likely to be involved in crashes or to receive a traffic violation during their first two years of driving. As teens, we can be reckless and irresponsible as our brains have not fully matured, leaving us vulnerable to impulsive actions behind the wheel. To help compensate for this, driving lessons in addition to drivers ed, can reduce the risk of serious accidents in young drivers. Some simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of death related to driving are to obey the traffic laws, pay attention to surroundings, avoid distractions, not driving tired, and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Although thankfully I have never been in a car accident, I have seen adults in my life driving distracted: checking their phone while driving, texting at traffic lights, ordering food on takeout apps while on the road. I have since realized that these events that I didn’t think much about, are actually very dangerous. I have been lucky that nothing tragic has resulted from these seemingly minor behaviors that are honestly way too common and often the cause of major traffic accidents.

The first step for me in being a safer driver is to avoid reckless and aggressive driving behaviors and to be mindful of my position on the road. Keeping appropriate spacing between me and the car in front of me, checking my mirrors frequently and scanning the road ahead to make sure I catch any sudden changes or signs before I reach them.

Being a safe driver requires that I take a stand to use the knowledge I have acquired. As the driver, I should not be doing any form of distracted driving. I can also encourage others when I am a passenger, to be free from distractions. If I do need to text someone, I will pull over first, or agree that it can wait until I reach my destination. I’ve made a commitment to make safe driving a priority. I’m going to suggest making a pact with a friend to help keep each other accountable when behind the wheel. No matter what else happens in life, there are some things we truly can control. Being and educated and safe driver is one of them. It’s a lifestyle choice that will save lives.