Safety is Paramount

Safety should always be the priority when you enter the driver’s seat, with no exceptions. Drivers carry a massive responsibility of keeping themselves, their passengers, and all others on the road safe. They have the power to either protect those around them or destroy their future, which can be determined by just a single move. Despite most people intending to be safe on the roads, more than thirty thousand people are killed from car crashes every year. This should not be taken lightly. Driving is fatal. Lack of education and awareness can be mainly blamed, but nevertheless, there needs to be a change.

Driver education is extremely important in reducing the number of car-related deaths because it will keep citizens informed on the safest way to partake in travel. Education on all aspects of driving, including how to operate a vehicle, the rules of the road, and how to ensure safety, is crucial in aiding this cause. Displaying alarming statistics and sharing personal stories will help provide a memorable recognition of the common dangers of driving to learners. If driver education is not enforced, reckless driving is much more likely to occur, simultaneously increasing the chances of death. This type of education should definitely be prioritized, emphasized, and accessible in order to influence safer driving across the nation.

To lessen the number of injuries and fatalities related to driving, education should become more regular. As drivers grow older, they stray further and further from their initial driver education course, often causing them to forget the topics covered in their sessions. Because of this, classes regarding the rules and safety of driving should be continued throughout a driver’s lifetime. For example, courses educating drivers on the risks of driving should be required every couple of years for all who possess a license. This would keep drivers updated and aware of the lingering troubles on the road, while also informing them on the latest ways to ensure safety. More rules, too, should be enforced to limit the possibilities of causing car crashes. Restricting access to cell phones while driving and inventing more secure ways to use technology would rid the leading distraction while driving, thus lowering the deaths that result from driving.

I have observed multiple practices of irresponsible driving, all of which had made me fearful of what would happen next. One of the most recurring instances I have experienced is drivers attempting to manage the music in the car. Whether it’s changing the radio station or switching playlists, music is a frequent source of distracted driving. Adjusting the music causes the driver to alter their focus to a screen, resulting in the driver becoming unaware of their surroundings and actions. The second I notice the car drifting into another lane or realize that the driver is practically blind to the road, my muscles tense and my mind quickly wanders to the worst possible outcomes. I dread this feeling and wish that more people would recognize the consequences that actions can have. As annoying as a track may be, it only takes a single song to risk you and your passenger’s life. An unfavorable song is much better than not having the chance to ever listen to music again.

Just one individual can prevent a death influenced by a driving-related source. To become a safer driver, it’s best to eliminate all sources of distracted driving, including music changes, texting, and not looking at the road. By doing this, all of your attention will be dedicated to the road and your surroundings, essentially lessening your chances of getting into a car accident. Additionally, drivers should always commit to entirely following the rules of the road, which means driving under the speed limit, stopping fully at all stop signs, and yielding when approaching crosswalks and merging. Decision-making, as well, is crucial in becoming a safe driver. The moment you turn your keys in the ignition, you must be in the right mindset, that is, one with rational judgment. These precautions are only the basics of becoming a safe driver. Just educating yourself on how to become a safe driver, as you have just done, is the first step to doing so.

With the recent increases in distracted driving and the significant amount of driving fatalities, road safety is more urgent than ever. Driving is no longer just how we get to work or the grocery store; it is a growing source of killing our population. More education and awareness is necessary to manage this and persuade drivers to take precaution when entering the roads. Most importantly, action needs to be pursued. All drivers must collaborate and be able to commit to driving safely, or else our society will never reach a solution. Safety should never be put aside, not while driving and not while living life. It is paramount. Now, next time you get in a car, think about how you can make a change with your single ride.