It is Worth it, if it Saves a Life!

Driver education is very important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. It is important to educate young people about the basics of driving, so they understand how to operate a motor vehicle. Moreover, it is very essential that young people understand what precautions need to be taken as a driver and how to drive safely. Driver education courses usually stress the importance of driving safely. These courses teach students how: (1) To read road signs; (2) The consequences of driving under the influence; (3) Illegal U-turns; (4) Speed limits, and (5) Penalties for reckless driving. Educating young drivers on the basics of driving, how to drive safely, and the consequences of driving recklessly help reduce the number of deaths because it encourages people to drive safely.

Some steps that can reduce the number of deaths related to driving include: (1) Making driver education courses and driving exams stricter; (2) Requiring drivers to take continuing education courses to maintain their licenses; (3) Harshly punishing drivers that have a pattern of driving recklessly; (4) Increasing suspensions and revocation of licenses; (5) Keeping drivers informed about the consequences of not driving safely, and (6) Share the traumatic stories of people we have loss due to driving.

The most important step is to hold people accountable when they drive recklessly and endanger themselves and other drivers on the road. A traffic infraction is sometimes not enough. Some police officers are more lenient on drivers who were pulled over for a traffic violation. These officers give the drivers a warning and allow them to keep driving without any accountability for their actions. People who drive recklessly should not be allowed to drive again until they successfully complete several driver education courses and pass an in-person driving test with a driver instructor.

Unfortunately, I have been in an accident. I was rear-ended by two cars at a stoplight. What made it even worse, is the driver that rear-ended my car and the car behind me drove off when we attempted to exchange information and to call the police officers. The hit and run driver has not been found and punished. Just think about it, a reckless driver is still on the roads and highways driving unpunished for his actions which caused harm to four people.

Thankfully, the collision only caused minor damage to my car. I am grateful to be alive. However, I am suffering from back and neck pain and headaches every day since that accident. I can’t enjoy life as much as I did before the accident. Cooking, cleaning, driving, traveling, laying exercising, bowling, skydiving, ziplining, and running is not the same anymore. However, it could have been worse. I could be included in the number of deaths as a result of driving.

I have witnessed family members and friends driving irresponsibly and recklessly. One of my family members speeds up to fast even when the stoplight turned red, and she waits until the last minute to press the brakes. I told her numerous times to stop waiting to break at the last minute because she’s going to rear-end a car one day. She didn’t stop. She ended up rear-ending another car one day. One of my friends was rushing out of a parking lot one day and hit a car. The list and stores go on.

If I am put in a situation with a bad driver, I ask them to drive safely or remove myself from their car. If I am unable to remove myself from their car, I vow never to ride with them again. I have found that most family members and friends are offended if you comment on their driving skills. I think it is best to give everyone tough love and explain why you are concerned about the way they’re driving. Look at it this way, it could save their life.

To be a safer driving, I can vow to: (1) Drive the speed limit; (2) follow safety precautions while I am on the road; (3) Pay attention to road signs; (3) Not text and drive; (3) Don’t drink and drive; (3) Be aware of my surroundings. I can help others become safer on the road by encouraging them to do the same things and to hold them accountable when they don’t. I think these are easy steps to make myself and the ones I love become safer on the road. Every life saved is worth following these steps and making people uncomfortable.