Education is Prevention for Deaths From Driving

Gradually the number of deaths on the highway has been decreasing, this is because drivers education is now more accessible, better quality, and required. Drivers education is available in the form of apps and in-person classrooms. This variety encourages people to learn because it is much easier to start and learn on your own time. If more people are receiving quality driver’s education the rate of death will decrease as it has been. Education is vital for prevention.

Some steps that can be taken to reduce deaths related to driving is constantly encouraging people to not be drunk or sleepy while driving. This can be done the same way that companies and governments encourage voter registration. If it is emphasized and repeated it will echo in everyone’s mind. It can also encourage social awareness and initiative. Let’s say a brief advertisement encourages people to check up on their drunk friends and how they plan to get home. This message isn’t new but spreading it more will remind and inform the population. There also should be more safety measures for an accident between cars and trucks as well often when a truck loses control it can be devastating especially on highways. Another way to reduce deaths is to teach more about defensive driving. In my drivers’ education course, I remember having a brief section about defensive driving, but I really believe there should be more research conducted on how to properly decrease damage to the drivers and passengers. There will always be accidents as long as humans are involved, so there should be more courses and sections about preventative driving especially in areas with snow, mud, and other natural factors. Another way to encourage safety is to promote the research and advertisement of automatic driving cars. Technology and the strive for sustainable cars are increasing and new models are released so making cars safer and potentially allowing the car to do the driving can reduce human errors.

Luckily I have not experienced a car accident, it may be because I have only been driving a little over a year, but I have had some heartbreaking experiences regarding my loved ones. In my junior year in high school, my tennis coach got into an accident with her fiance. It was devastating, a truck lost control and hit their car. My coach survived, but her fiance did not. His funeral is something I will never forget. The image of my coach’s weakened frame and grief-stricken face is forever burned into my face. I had never seen her so broken in my life. His parents were so lost, losing a child is one of the worst pains. Irresponsible driving can not just cause death, but it can spread pain and suffering to those not involved in the accident. This happened while I was in driver’s ed and will always be a looming reminder that every time I step into my car, my life can change because of my or someone else’s actions. Recently my best friend got in an accident, but she was thankfully unharmed. She was driving in a rural area in Texas where there were only two lanes each going in the opposite direction. A car was coming in the opposite direction, however, it was not staying in the lane and was instead on both sides. She didn’t know what to do so she moved towards the edge of her lane and slid into a ditch, while the car drove off. Her car was completely destroyed from behind because a wire from the fence caught onto it. She was lucky, and I was grateful she was fine, but I know car accident death with my age group of 16-30 are the highest and it is scary that I know a lot of students that have been involved in an accident.

Some steps I take is to leave earlier than I have to, especially since I commute to college. I want to make sure I am not rushed and drive faster to make it to class on time. I always make sure I am aware of the other drivers around me and make sure I do not zone out by playing music or listening to a podcast. I would rather miss a turn than recklessly make a turn, and if I am unsure of where I am, I use voice control on my car for the GPS or simply pull over. I also avoid driving when there is inclement weather unless I have no other option

Driving is an amazing invention that has undoubtedly increased opportunities and developed communication since it was introduced. However, just like with other technology, there is a risk, and education, implementation, and social awareness are vital in reducing deaths from driving.