To Stay Aware

The number of highway deaths that occur on a yearly basis shouldn’t be equaling or exceeding the number of U.S. deaths during the Korean war, but this is the way things are currently. What this means is that U.S. citizens are fighting a war in their own country, on their own roads. Like with war, communication is a key factor in keeping people safe, and the best way to reduce the number of highway fatalities is by doing just that: communicating to drivers that their actions make a serious impact on other people. This is why driver education is so important, because if drivers know how to be safe and how much their personal choices in an automobile can change lives, they will be more inclined to drive in a way that will keep people safe.

Some of the most effective ways to reduce the number of driver-related deaths include community involvement. I personally believe that mandating driver safety courses regularly after an individual is licensed will help drivers keep safety practices and traffic laws fresh on their minds, keeping them mindful of how to be safe. If in order to renew one’s license, one had to take 30 minutes to review the things they are taught when they were 16 and first taking their driver’s safety course, there would be more widespread recollection of safe driving habits. I also believe that good incentive will increase driver safety, so if those who are the cause of automobile accidents are required to take a long reeducation course and are tested on safety practices before re-obtaining their license, they are more likely to learn and less likely to be unsafe. Unfortunately, we can’t change people’s natural inclination to make poor decisions, like driving while intoxicated, but we can push for greater awareness and support for organizations that strive to educate people on the dangers of drunk-driving. Doing these things will increase community awareness of driver safety, and help reduce the risk associated with driving a vehicle.

I have been in an accident when I was 15 where the driver was inexperienced with the conditions of the road and panicked while sliding on the wet pavement. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was avoidable. I distinctly remember the police officer lecturing the driver on the various charges that could be made against him, and the effect that it could have on his record, not to mention the reality that someone could have been seriously hurt. As I saw the wreaked vehicle plastered against a tree, a broken fence in its wake, I imagined the dreadful possibility that it could have ran into another human being or another driver, and I was filled with terror. This incident opened my eyes to the need for clear understanding of driving safety, as well as balanced experience/practice in all conditions of the road with someone who knows what they are doing. Drivers must be informed about the possible consequences to their actions, and they need to understand the great risk they take upon themselves when they get into their vehicle every day. Automobiles are not intended to be dangerous, but they can be when the one behind the wheel is uneducated, inexperienced, and inconsiderate.

The best things I can do to be a better and safer driver are actually the little things that we learned in driver’s ed: checking my blind spots, using my blinker, paying attention to what other drivers are doing, to name a few. It’s these actions that increase mindfulness over time and encourage our brains to pay close attention to the subtle details. If I’m careful to set an example to those who are in the vehicle while I’m driving, I can hopefully influence them. But more than just setting an example is actually calling people out on unsafe driving. Some drivers build up habits over the years and are unaware of how dangerous those habits are until someone makes it known to them. I feel that ignorance is one of the key factors behind driving accidents, so it must be a priority to help keep people informed. Most people don’t know the facts or the statistics, so I think by sharing the information that I have and continue to acquire can be a huge support to my community and help people stay mindful about the way they drive. By driving safely for myself and encouraging others to do the same, I can impact overall driver safety and potentially reduce the risks that take lives.