Staying Safe Behind the Wheel

Every time I step into a car, I am always reminded by the words my parents first said to me when I started driving at the age of 15: “Remember, when you are driving on the road, you are not only putting your life on the line, but everyone else’s as well.” That one quote is constantly running through my mind no matter where I am driving. It doesn’t matter if the ride is a short trip to the grocery store or a long road trip to another state; in both situations, if someone isn’t careful, it can lead to dire, life-threatening consequences.

It is unfortunate to see the number of road accidents becoming more frequent each year. As younger, more inexperienced drivers step out onto the roads, accidents have become more common. As a high school student, it is understandable to want the feeling of freedom and being able to finally have a sense of control over your own life when you finally get your license. But at what risks are you willing to take in order to get that license? It’s becoming more likely to see teenagers driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs because many people seem to ignore the basic rules of the road. Not many drivers stop to think about the fact that using substances can impact your reflexes and attention, both of which are fully needed in order to properly operate a motor vehicle. Additionally, the increase in accidents in the recent past has been due to distracted driving, usually checking a cellphone. It only takes one fraction of a second of not giving your full attention to the road to lead to a massive accident. Text messages, phone calls, and emails are better left unread than risking the chance of harming the lives of multiple people.

I remember one instance when I was in middle school and I was going back home after a family friends’ high school graduation. We had been in the hot sun all day long and were beyond exhausted. As my mom drove, a hushed silence fell over our car as my sister and I dozed in and out of a napping state, our heads rolling back and forth across the car seat. All of a sudden my eyes slightly opened just in time to see two cars ram into each other at full force in a massive collision. The sickening sounds of the car parts smashing against each other and the force throwing the cars apart are something that will never leave my mind. To this day, I still vividly recall this memory and the aftermath of the incident. By this time my sister and I were fully awake and sat in terror not knowing what do to after seeing the aftermath right in front of our eyes in the middle of the intersection. I watched my mom intensely waiting for her to say something, but I could see the fear in her eyes as she clutched the steering wheel even more tightly. Needless to say, that event has traumatized me forever. It is something I think about every single day when I go driving with my dad.

In terms of taking steps to reduce the number of driving related deaths, I think the most important things is to require every driver who would like to obtain a license to take a driver’s education course and receive driving lessons from a professional instructor. Driver’s education is so crucial because it gives people an actual understanding of the road by providing hard facts instead of hearing stories from other people that they will likely tune out. People might complain that 30 hours is too long and the information is boring, but what’s more important: spending a few hours taking a course and driving properly or not learning crucial information and potentially endangering many lives? In the state of Georgia, drivers are allowed to opt out of taking a driver’s education course if they are 17 years old. The common age to get a license is 16 years old, but that doesn’t mean that someone who starts driving a year later will be a safer driver and follow the rules of the road better. Requiring people to actually learn the rules and understand them through a course will likely lead to more careful drivers. Additionally, by implementing the use of driving lessons from a professional instructor, new drivers can take the information that they learn in the driving course and apply in a real world situation and get tips on how to improve from someone who is more experienced in these types of situations. Most importantly, I think harsher laws should be enforced for new drivers in terms of the number of people they are allowed to drive. Many people ignore the six months rule and still choose to drive multiple people outside of their family, which not only demonstrates blatant disregard for the rules of the road, but also can put others at risk. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who has had their license for six months and who hasn’t just by looking at the road; this is a potential problem that I think should be addressed in the future.

Personally, I do everything I can to take steps to ensure that I and others around me are safer drivers. While I have fortunately never been in a serious accident, even minor cases like being rear ended have left me feeling uneasy, which is why I take precautions no matter where I am going. When I first started driving, I was terrified because I recognized the consequences that came with operating a vehicle. To this day, I still am, which is why I do everything I possibly can to ensure that I am following all the rules of the road. I always use my turn signals when necessary, make sure to drive at or below the speed limit, and most importantly am considerate of those around me. When I am driving with family members I make sure to take their phones and keep the screen away from them so that they aren’t distracted by new notifications. With friends, I am always reminding to use their turn signals earlier in order to ensure that the drivers behind them know how to proceed.

Many times, driving-related deaths can be avoided, if only people would pay attention and follow the rules of the road. We can all do our job to be careful drivers and protect those around us from recklessly driving and disregarding the rules. With better instruction and proper enforcement of the rules will lead to safer roads for everyone.

• What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?

• What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?

• Have you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?

• What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?