Driver Education Initiative Essay

The number of deaths from driving are more than the deaths of American soldiers from war in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. That is about an average of 34,000 deaths a year by people driving. That is 34,000 too many lives taken from driving. A large amount people do not realize how serious these issues are in today’s world. In the past two years, more human lives have been taken from driving than the Vietnam war, that is a lot of people that have died. Driving seems to be more dangerous than being involved in wars and combat.

There is a huge importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths from driving. Drivers ed allows you to get a clear understanding of rules and safety measures before you get your license rather then learning them as you go. Drivers ed can raise confidence in a person when driving, which is a huge deal. The more confidence you have, the more comfortable and natural you will react to situations. Confidence you receive from drivers ed makes you a safer driver. It also allows a person to know their responsibilities. If the driver is aware of what they are responsible for and the consequences of certain situations, it will cause them to be more alert and safer when driving. Overall, drivers ed makes you a safer driver and will keep you and everyone around you safer.

Although we cannot fix everything when driving and prevent all accidents, we can prevent simple things. We can create bigger consequences for driving while intoxicated/ under the influence and driving without a seatbelt. Creating a bigger consequence would dramatically impact the decline of deaths from driving. We can also put apps on our phones that limit its use while driving. Yes, we know this is a thing, but it should be prioritized more. People over estimate their abilities to drive distracted and multi task. One look away could be a life you are taking away; a text or call is not worth a life. A decrease in fatalities from driving is not impossible, it is the little things that save lives.

I have witnessed multiple examples of these issues and they have impacted me greatly. When I was about 13 years old, I was getting on a ramp to the beltway and a white work van was speeding with two guys in the front. They were drinking and swerving all over the place. They tried to cross many lanes to make the ramp, and unfortunately lost control and flipped over the guard rail. My dad pulled over and told me to stay in the car while he called 911 and helped. The main thing I remember is my dad pulling the two guys out of the upside-down crushed car covered in blood staining their white shirts. This is the main thing that has traumatized me and will be the main reason I will be responsible when driving.

There are a number of things a person behind the wheel can do to become a better and safer driver when on the road. The number one action you can take when behind the wheel is FOCUSING ON DRIVING AND DRIVING ONLY. Keep your undivided attention and eyes on the road at all times and do not try and multitask. You really need to focus on what is around you and make sure all distractions are out of reach, so you are not tempted to use or touch them. An obvious issue is making sure you are going the speed limit; this is a huge issue and cause of crashes as well as loss of control. There are speed limits and restrictions for a reason. They protect you and the other drivers on the road with you. If you are exceeding the speed limit, more damage can be caused if or when an accident is to occur. The last major action against deaths when driving is to put your phone away when behind the wheel! Phones are one of the biggest distractions in life even if it does not involve driving. If you need to use your phone, find a phone holder so you are not holding your phone or looking down. These are the main ways people are able to prevent accidents and make the road safer for them and other people as well.

Overall, fatalities from driving are a huge problem in today’s world. From driving under the influence to driving distracted and using your phone. The numbers of deaths are sickening and need to be juristically reduced.