Keeping the Roads Safe

Go back to the time when you freshly turned sixteen, permit in hand standing in the line at the DMV ready for your license. Congratulations, you passed! The last thing on their mind is the risk they take every time they get into that driver’s seat. A statement from the CDC showed “more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million are injured each year from motor vehicle crashes” (CDC). You hear it every day, how no one knows how to drive or seeing people in a rush making illegal turns, speeding, driving under the influence, on their phone and so many more things to be mentioned. The issue starts with uneducated drivers, people not knowing how dangerous driving a vehicle of any kind can be and what risk they put themselves and others at. An easy attempt to raise awareness is an advertisement, similar to the Truth ads made for nicotine. They are understandable and realistic while also not making everyone uncomfortable. Some form of advertisement with lists of real risks and real people with experiences can raise more awareness and make people think about how they drive. Another idea is a simple pamphlet or small book including the major and necessary rules of the road. These are already a product that can be found in stores, but what if they were given out to kids. The average sophomore is about 15-16 years old, if a driving handbook was given out to each of these classrooms it may have enough of an impact to educate young or future drivers. Realistically not everyone will read it, but it is easily accessible and it can be used for studying for driving tests and if at least one teenager reads it, it is bound to be a topic of discussion. Lastly, I suggest a system, similar to uber, but specific to the younger generation. Teenagers from the age of 14-20 are still going to go out and party even with it being illegal. Though it is irresponsible, they shouldn’t be stranded or have to drive home intoxicated. If parents aren’t around, teens under 18 are not able to call an Uber or Lyft because they are a minor. A system like this I feel would help create a safe way for teens to take responsibility and know that their safety is more important than getting in trouble.

Those are only two specific ideas, but the most important I believe is communication, for all ages. Parents to their kids, adults to other adults, everyone. Parents should be talking to their children about the rules of the road and how to stay safe but that isn’t the only issue. Adults also need to take responsibility for themselves and know that driving even “feeling sober” is not good enough. The road can be a scary and dangerous place if you don’t know what you are doing. Communicating questions or alerting someone driving off something ahead and looking out for other people are things that should be common sense. I feel safe driving because I know I am fully informed and cautious, but it could be much safer. A few small steps are all it takes to save a life, or maybe not a life but save the hospital trip and trauma. I have never been in a serious accident, but my mother has. She was 16 and a drunk driver hit her when she was crossing the street. She had a huge gouge agross her hip and a sprung arm. My grandmother was a single mother with two full time jobs. She couldn’t pay the medical bills off for years and my mom to this day still panics a little whenever we cross the road. One time specifically stuck out to me when a car didn’t see us in the crosswalk and slammed on its brakes less than 70 feet in front of us. My mom broke down crying. She was so scared that we were going to get hit. This is the reason safe driving is so important to me. I am looking forward to the next generation and hoping they will experience safer roads and more educated drivers.

Works Cited

1. CDC. “Crash Deaths in the US: Where We Stand.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 July 2016, www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html#:~:text=Not%20using%20seat%20belts%2C%20car%20seats%2C%20and%20booster.