The Importance of Driver Safety

The Importance of Driver’s Education

Drivers education; a loathed term by many teenagers and young adults. However, as much as many people do not enjoy it, it is vital to obtain it because this is where driver safety is taught. Furthermore, safety is prevalent because, on the road, every driver is responsible for not only his or her safety but also for the safety of the other drivers on the road. As stated by the website called drivedifferent.com in regards to company/employer related situations, “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), implementing the right fleet driver training program can significantly reduce the number of employee-involved crashes, ultimately protecting your drivers and your company’s bottom line” (drivedifferent.com). Even for companies, researchers recommend that they receive training, so, therefore, it is highly recommended after reviewing the statistics that drivers receive safety education, and it shouldn’t be optional. Adding on, there is around a 10% less chance of getting into a car crash or getting a ticket if a person has taken a driver’s ed course. These results are according to a study conducted by them. This is especially if the driver is young because teenagers who haven’t taken a safety course are 75% more likely to get into an accident, and this is based on the research study shown on the website called newsroom.unl.edu. Based on these results, it is clear that without proper safety education, drivers should not be going on teh road. They should be introduced to the risks that come along with driving and they should understand the seriousness of following laws. After a person receives training (driver’s education), he/she should make sure that they are driving safely by obeying signs, being predictable, avoid distraction, drive rested, and not use alcohol or drugs during their trip (consumerreports.org). Basically, this means that they should be focusing on their driving and making sure they are paying attention to their surroundings.

Fortunately, I have only been in one accident and that was many years ago, when my dad was driving (safely), and a car hit him from behind. At that time, my whole family was in the car, including me. I was around 10 years old. The car that hit ours had a driver that was driving irresponsibly, and this experience has constituted my tendency as a new driver to use caution while driving. An instructor once told me, “If you stop at a light and look at the people who are next to you or near you, more than half of them are likely to be using their phones to ‘pass the time’”. I’ve tested this out many times; it is indeed true. Although not many people think so, this is a way of driving recklessly and irresponsibly because you are not paying attention to your surroundings. This is why whenever I drive, I always make sure that my phone is on “do not disturb”, and I am paying attention to other cars around me. I am responsible for my own safety and for the safety of others when I’m on the road, and we need to make other people realize this fact because it can help to prevent road accidents.

Furthermore, according to metromile.com, some tips to become a safer driver include; focus on driving, planning ahead, in the case of an accident, always focus, maintain control if your tires blow out, go at the speed limit, avoid road rage, watch teh weather, keep your distance, don’t grip the steering wheel too hard, stay alert and awake, wear your seatbelt correctly, pick the right music, keep your headlights on (especially at night), don’t drink and drive, and put your phone away. Most of the tips given by the source have to do with paying attention and staying alert while using a common sense like knowing how to operate your vehicle correctly (to keep the headlights on, etc). As the website expresses, “No distraction is worth a car crash or a life” (metromile.com). In addition to making other people realize the importance of safety on the road, it is equally as important to make sure that they know the threat that distractions hold on the road.

Sources Used

https://blog.drivedifferent.com/blog/does-driver-safety-training-reduce-crashes

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/04/6-ways-to-avoid-a-car-accident/index.htm#:~:text=There%20are%20simple%20steps%20that,the%20roads%20safer%20for%20all.

https://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/2015/08/13/Study:+Driver%27s+ed+significantly+reduces+teen+crashes,+tickets

https://www.metromile.com/blog/tips-safer-driver/