Reckless Driving : A choice between Life and Death

Picture how long a day lasts. Just 24 hours, each of them valuable and unique in their own way. These hours are so brief, so precious, that they often feel fleeting, as if there could never be enough hours in the day. Yet in just one hour alone, nearly 5 people on average will die in motor vehicle accidents. In just a single hour, 5 families are ripped apart, 5 lives ended prematurely, and countless other affected lives all in this one short span of time. And now, with more people on the road than ever, it is imperative that we all understand the dangers of driving and take action to be both better drivers and help those around us be better as well.

To begin with, it is important for us all to understand just how severe the consequences of driving dangerously truly are. Not only are there the obvious results of injury and loss of life, but there are also many financial consequences that most drivers don’t even consider. According to the Insurance Information Institute, crashes where one or more parties were speeding cost Americans $40 billion yearly. In 2018, speeding was the cause of 31% of motorcyclist fatalities, 18% of car driver fatalities, 14% of light-truck driver fatalities, and 7% of large-truck driver fatalities, based on a study done by the U.S department of Transportation. This means that speeding, an action that many of us consider to not be wildly uncommon, can be incredibly consequential to the average person. In order to be a truly safe driver, one must be sure to obey the speed limits at all times, and nit feel pressured by those in the car or by the cars around them. Another way to stay safe even as a pedestrian is to remind your driver to obey the speed limit when they commit an infraction. This way, you can prevent the possibility of danger, whether it be a ticket, an accident, or worst of all, death. Another factor drivers should be wary of is driving in adverse weather. Neary 22 percent of accidents in America occur during poor weather conditions, which accounts for roughly 1.5 million accidents a year. That means that even if only 10 percent of these accidents are fatal, that totals 150, 000 cases of lost life, and 150,000 different tragedies. Whenever there are adverse weather conditions, be sure to take caution when on the road, and remain vigilant in regards to defensive driving measures. Also, aways be prepared with the proper equipment, such as snow chains. Spare tires, and any other item do be used in emergencies.

When driving, it is essential that you keep a cool head, and avoid getting into confrontations while on the road, According to SafeMotorist, 66 percent of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving, and 37 percent involve a firearm. Even if you approach another vehicle without any malicious intent, you never know what another person is willing to do, or what they are willing to risk. It is always safer to not instigate altercations, that way there is no chance of an incident occurring. If the other driver escalates the situation and you can’t avoid it, make sure to call the authorities and do your best to avoid violence and deescalate the situation. Half of the drivers who are on the receiving end of aggressive behavior, such as horn honking, a rude gesture, or tailgating admit to responding with aggressive behavior themselves.) For many of us, it is hard to remain calm when agitated, and as driving can often cause you to get frustrated enough as it is, some people will naturally fall into anger. However, it is crucial to remain under control in moments like these, as acting aggressively can lead to putting yourself and others at risk. If necessary, you can always pull over to the side of the road and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down.

Driving is one of the most casually dangerous activities that the majority of Americans partake in. Even when you take all the necessary measures ti be safe, you can still end up I an accident that isn’t eve your fault. The results of these accidents can cause extreme financial, emotional and physical issues. However, if you follow all traffic laws, stay prepared for diverse weather, and remain calm on the road, you will more than likely go about the rest of your driving life avoiding any serious accidents.