The Importance of Safe Driving

Safe driving is integral to decreasing the number of deaths due to reckless driving. If more people took drivers education, there would be more educated people on the roads who have taken the time to learn how to drive safely. If there are more people driving safely the number of accidents would decrease along with the number of people who were hurt or passed away due to car accidents. The more people who know the rules of the road the less people who be injured in an accident. The more people who know how to handle a situation, pay attention while they’re driving, and know the repercussions of unsafe driving the less people who would be a victim of this reckless driving epidemic. Many people I know only took drivers education to get their full license a year earlier but that is not why we should be taking this class. Drivers education has many benefits and should be taken to learn how to be a better driver not just be able to drive past 9:00 PM.

Something we can do to reduce the number of driving-related fatalities is to put our phones away or put them on do not disturb. I have been in cars where my friends have got on their phone not only to text but to also change the music the next thing, they know they look up and there partially over the line. In my car, my phone automatically goes into do not disturb so I’ll have no distractions. I also set my playlists before I begin driving. With the increase in technology and the increase in our reliance on technology, more and more people are so attached to their phones they can’t put them down while in the car. I also suggest not listening to music that will distract you, if you get too distracted by the music you may not realize what’s happening around you and possibly injure someone. To reduce the number of driving-related deaths we could also take classes to learn more about the consequences that distracted or impaired driving can have on someone’s life and how it not only affects you but the people around you. When paying attention to the road you also have to think about your surroundings if you are turning right you have to check the crosswalks and the sidewalks and make sure no one is in your way. You never know if someone is running into the street on a crosswalk or not. Drivers have to be diligent and always be checking their surroundings because owning a car and having your license is it privilege and takes a certain amount of responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone. Wearing a seat belt is one of the most simple, yet important things someone can do to stay safe while in the car. You are much more likely to be severely injured were killed in an accident if you are not wearing a seat belt. They’re there for a reason and though they might be annoying they may end up saving your life. Please wear your seatbelts, we know they save lives.

I have had several experiences being in a car with someone who is driving recklessly sometimes resulting in an accident. A few months ago, my mom was driving us to another town and got distracted by a few cops on the side of the road she did not see a car that was stopped in front of her, and almost hit it going very fast on and off-ramp luckily, I saw and was able to get her attention before we got in an accident. This was not the first time she has gotten distracted while driving she was also not paying attention while stopped at a red light and slowly let off the brake and hit the person in front of us. Fortunately for her, there were no damages to either car, but it was still very reckless and could have ended very differently. she now knows the consequences of what could happen and has been very responsible and never goes on her phone because with me driving now she wants people to be the same way, so I don’t end up hurt. Another time some friends and I went hiking and were driving down a back road, he assumed the road was a 45 and was going 55 miles per hour when in reality the speed limit was 30 miles per hour. Because we were in the mountains and the roads were so curvy it’s easy to slip especially if it’s wet, luckily the worst thing that happened to him was it speeding ticket. All of these incidents could have been avoided if they were educated and paid more attention.

Though no one likes to admit it everyone makes mistakes and has things they can fix. Personally, to be a better driver I could also pay more attention when listening to music because sometimes you get lost in the moment and it’s easier to get distracted and harder to pay attention. I could also start leaving earlier because I tend to be late and speed to my destination. Speeding might not only get me a ticket it could also hurt someone if I were to get in an accident. I could also take a driver’s education class so I can learn more about what I can do and how to educate others by making sure everyone is safe in the car and outside. Looking at the numbers it is concerning how many people are hurt or killed by cars every year, I will definitely make these changes to assure not only the safety of me but the safety of others.