The Unknown Epidemic of Reckless Driving

The Unknown Epidemic of Reckless Driving

The number of drivers that die in America per year, 34,000, is an astoundingly high number. The importance of driver education cannot be understated in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. There are many potential steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving as well. I have been in three car accidents in my life. I have also seen my friends drive irresponsibly. There are many steps that I can take to become a better and safer driver along with helping others become safer on the road as well.

Driver education is a key component to reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving. If motorist can understand the dangers of driving recklessly and take driving more seriously than we can reduce the number of deaths from driving. Once drivers pass their initial driving test in America they never again receive any additional education or refreshers on operating a motor vehicle. Increased driver education or more frequent education programs would help to make drivers operate their vehicle more carefully. This is why driver education is vital to reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving.

There are many potential steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. The first potential step would to be increase legislation and have more severe punishments for texting and cell phone use while driving. Another potential step would be to lower speed limits. When cars travel at a higher rate of speed they become more dangerous. Another potential step involves increased technology regarding motor safety including safer car designs and better air bag systems. New technology such as lane alerts and self-driving vehicles could also potentially reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Adding breathalyzers to all cars to prevent intoxicated driving is another potential step. I also believe that drivers should have to retake their driving test every 10 years so that we can ensure motorist on the roads are capable of driving safely. These are some of the many potential steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

I have experienced three car accidents in my life. I was driving during one of the accidents and was a passenger during the other two. The first accident I was involved in was occurred during a family vacation in Denver, Colorado. My Dad was driving our rental car and we were stopped at a red light. A work van rear ended our rental car. The driver of the van was a distracted driver because he was using his cell phone while driving. Luckily, no one was injured and the damage was minimal. The second accident I was involved in occurred when my Dad and I were driving home from a Cleveland Browns game. My Dad looked away from the road for a few seconds and by the time I yelled out to him it was too late. We rear ended two cars that were stopped at a red light. All three cars suffered damage but nobody was hurt. The final accident I was involved occurred when I dropped my friend off at his house. I had just got my license and this was one of the first times I was driving at night by myself. When I backed up out of my friend’s driveway I backed into one of his neighbors cars. The damage was minimal but it was an eye-opening experience for a young driver like myself.

Young male drivers are seen as high risk drivers by insurance companies and for good reason. I have witnessed my friends drive irresponsibly on many different occasions. I have been in the car with my friends while they were texting while driving, speeding, not using turn signals, weaving out of traffic dangerously, and even throw things out of their car at another friend’s car while driving. Teenage boys can be wild and when you combine that with a motor vehicle things can become dangerous quickly. I feel as though I am a much more responsible driver and I think that is because I did not start driving until I was 18.

I think there are many steps I can take to become safer and better driver along with helping other become safer on the road. I think that with anything the more you partake in an activity the better you become at it. This applies to driving as well. I am a lot better driver now than when I started. I still could become better with practice at backing up but a backup camera in the future may help remedy that problem. I think driving in different areas with different roads and terrains would also make me a better driver. I believe that I could help others be safer on the road by speaking out if they are not driving responsible. The old saying of see something say something applies with reckless driving. This is how I could become a better and safer driver along with helping others be safer on the road.

Driving should not be more dangerous than combat. Reckless driving is an epidemic facing humanity. By increasing driver education and implementing new steps to reduce death by driving we can make the roads safer. I know firsthand how dangerous driving can be. I hope that I can become a better and safer driver along with others I know so we can make each mile of road safer with us on it.