The Scope of Driving

Freedom is something we all strive for. The feeling of driving to your own destinations, around the coast, the highways. Many see it as a stress reliever, but others rely on it in their daily lives. Young drivers crave the experience that an adult driver has but they forget that driving only gets easier with experience. I know from personal experience that I wanted to be an expert very badly from the start, but I told myself to slow down because driving takes time. 

When a young driver receives their permit, they believe they can handle driving as if they had years of experience. This leads to reckless driving to impress, driving while intoxicated, and multitasking. They tend to rush the process of learning to drive and want to be a pro right off the bat. Confidence is a good thing to have when driving, however this confidence of being an expert from your first lesson is not a good thing. A recent statistic led by a law office found that “4,000 teens die every year in traffic accidents” and about “20% of 16 year old drivers are involved in accidents with nine teens dying every day.” These alarming statistics are the reason that it is important to learn driving education properly. In order to reduce these statistics and save lives, everyone needs to be just as serious as the other person about driving.

I believe a way to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to enact stricter laws. A law that addresses intoxication in a higher form than just a threat is better than just telling a person not to drink and drive. Of course, anyone caught in the act is given the correct consequences, but some get away. When they get away, they think they can do it again, putting themselves and others in danger. We can also reduce the deaths by separate learning roads. We learn to drive by taking risks and practicing off other cars in busy roads. I believe to avoid these situations, there should be private practicing areas for new drivers so they aren’t putting themselves or others in dangerous situations. Another way we can reduce the number of deaths is by making driving tests for a license more thorough. Driving tests really are just luck based, whether you have a more laid-back examiner or an unfortunate situation on the road. That being said, you aren’t tested for every weather event or even nighttime. I think that is where a lot of people get away with not being exceptional at every type of drive. That being said, every drive is different because you encounter different things but if the driving tests covered a broader scope, then it would be more beneficial for safety. 

Even though laws and stricter rules can be helpful, it is always important to do your part. Sometimes teens’ deaths are not their fault; sometimes they can be doing everything perfectly and then someone else’s actions cause their fatality. Regardless, each and every one of us needs to be focused on the road and our surroundings when driving. We cannot commit inexcusable actions thinking we can get away with it. Anytime I drive, I make sure that I am not hungry which can make me angry or dizzy while on the road. I make sure to do a quick scope of my surroundings every now and then through my mirrors and not just straight ahead. Most fatalities happen from the side or rear, not the front so make sure you are aware 360 degrees. Lastly, remember just because the light is green doesn’t mean go; it means check to see of any reckless drivers and then go. 

The last thing I advise you to do to protect your safety on the road is to invest in the installation of a dash cam. This is to ensure you aren’t accused of being the one in the wrong. These cams can help you get compensated for any crash that happens since you have evidence. That being said, I’d like to conclude and say that I enjoyed giving my advice on driving and presenting these statistics. I learned a lot from myself and I hope that you take away some of the points I made to help yourself and others become safer drivers. 

Works Cited: 

“Teen Accidents and Parental Liability in California: Killackey Law Offices, APC: Los Angeles, California.” Killackey Law Offices, APC, www.killackeylaw.com/articles/teen-accidents-and-parental-liability-in-california/.