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Driver Education Round 2 – Know the Risks, Don’t Let Distracted Driving Take More Lives

Name: Gabriella Zwall
From: Chandler, AZ
Votes: 0

Know the Risks, Don’t Let Distracted Driving Take More Lives

Driving is a task done by most adults as part of their daily activities, however many do not know the dangers attached to driving. Driving has become such a common activity that some have begun to sensitize themselves to the dangers associated with driving. This has led to more drivers being negligent while driving, increasing the chance for a deadly accident to occur. One of the most common ways people negligently drive is by using their cellular devices. As technology becomes more widespread it poses a major distraction on the road. Individuals who use cell phones while driving tend to overlook the dangers. This is where the importance of driver education is seen. Driver education can be used to show the severity of using technology while driving. It can help drivers understand the dangers they are creating by using a device while driving. If they better understand the severity of the issue, they will be less likely to recklessly drive. This will prevent deadly accidents from occurring and can help save countless lives. Another example of distracted driving would be driving while under the influence. As drivers reach ages where they are legally allowed to use alcohol and drugs, they may not fully understand the impacts of driving while impaired. To begin they may not know their limits or believe that partaking will impact their driving. Driver education can help them understand the impacts drugs and alcohol may have on their driving. It can help them better understand their limits, as well as the impact drugs, may have on the quality of their driving. Along with showing them the impacts, driver education can also help show drivers the repercussions of driving under the influence. It can show the danger distracted driving could have on the lives of those around them as well as themselves. In addition to showing the effects on human lives, it can help them understand and interpret the legal repercussions of driving under the influence. If drivers fully understand the dangers and laws associated with distracted driving, they will be less likely to put lives at risk. Driver education can provide drivers with information they may not have known or understood. It can help drivers make educated decisions much less likely to put lives in danger.

I have experienced how distracted driving can affect the quality of ones driving abilities. I have seen both friends and family drive irresponsibly as a result of cell phones. Usually, the excuses are tied around not believing using the cell phone was dangerous or needing to respond because of an emergency. There is no reasonable excuse for using a cell phone while driving. Even if it may seem like the action was not dangerous that split second could drastically impact the lives of others. If there is an emergency where a cell phone needs to be used then one should take the time to pull over. Along with having seen friends and family act irresponsibly, I have also been in a car accident resulting from distracted driving. The driver of the vehicle was an adult who did not understand their limits when drinking alcohol. After they picked me up, they ran a red light causing an accident with a family who was celebrating their daughter’s birthday. Those in our vehicle sustained very minor injuries, but the other vehicle had some major injuries. This experience struck a chord within me. The other family was innocently celebrating, but the actions of one reckless driver destroyed their perfect day. The incident left innocent people severely injured and destroyed a perfectly good birthday. I believe everyone should understand the impact they could have on others by recklessly driving. Steps need to be taken to sensitize the public to the issue and to show them real people who have felt the impact of distracted driving. We need to show drivers there is a true danger when driving distracted through stories where people experienced regret for overlooking the issue. I encourage those who use their cell phone while driving to put them on silent and out of sight. This will allow you to avoid any unnecessary distractions and temptations to look at the device while driving. For those who drink alcohol, I suggest always having a driver available. This could be through a friend or using an app such as uber where you can pay a driver to take you home. It is always better to be safe, as any reckless decision could unknowingly be the last.