SAFE: Stay Alert For Everyone

February 8, 2011. It was a normal Tuesday for my eight-year old self as I woke early in the morning for another school day. I normally wait in the playground for my cousin to arrive so we can talk about what game we’re going to play later that recess. As the first bell rang, to my surprise Melissa never arrived. I thought it was strange, she was never late as my aunt was always known to be the “on-time is late” aunt. 10 minutes passed, 1 hour passed, then came recess, and she still wasn’t in her seat. She couldn’t have been sick as I saw her the day before and she was completely fine; she didn’t have an appointment, otherwise she would have been gloating the day before that she was going to miss an hour of school. I had no idea why she wasn’t at school. Before lunch, my teacher got a call claiming I was headed home, I was completely surprised, I didn’t have a reason to be leaving. I got in the car and my mom told me my aunt and my cousins got in a car accident. The worst thoughts came to my mind as I thought a car accident meant lost limbs, blindness, death, some of the worst injuries, and I began crying before my mom could say anything more. My mom quickly reassured me as she said we were going to their house to check up on them. Thankfully my cousins and aunt were in better condition than I thought. Of course, my older cousin was flaunting his injuries in my face, saying he was tough and I bantered saying Melissa was tougher as she had less injuries, and my aunt had close to no injuries as well. This was my first experience with traffic accidents and definitely wasn’t my last, as my cousin passed away several years later due to a drunk driver. Not every accident ends in the same outcome and in some cases you’re thanking God and in other cases you’re asking Him why. I’m not the only one to suffer loss due to accidents as thousands of family members mourn their loved ones every year. In 2021, there were 42,915 deaths in the U.S. due to motor vehicle accidents. That’s more than 4 deaths due to accidents which can be avoided through improved driver education, stricter enforcement of laws and ensuring road safety infrastructure.

Driver education is important in reducing deaths as a result of driving because it provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate a vehicle safely. Driver education programs teach individuals about traffic laws, safe driving practices, and how to respond in emergency situations. It is important to learn these skills early on as young adults and teens are most prone to be involved in traffic incidents. By learning these skills, individuals are better equipped to make safe driving decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities on the road. In addition, driver education helps instill a sense of responsibility and awareness in drivers, encouraging them to prioritize safety and make smart decisions while behind the wheel.

Although some may disagree, law enforcement plays a crucial role in reducing traffic violations. By increasing the presence of law enforcement, drivers are more likely to follow traffic laws. Strengthening penalties for traffic violations such as higher fines, longer license suspensions, and increased jail time for serious offenses such as drunk driving will also motivate drivers to maintain proper vehicle operation. Expanding technology such as red-light cameras, speed cameras, and license plate recognition systems will also aid law enforcement as police officers cannot be everywhere at all times. By implementing these actions, law enforcement organizations may contribute to the development of a culture of cautious driving and lower the incidence of collisions and fatalities on the road. Furthermore, increased law enforcement can act as a deterrent to risky and irresponsible driving conduct, making everyone’s interaction with the roads safer.

Our government has the responsibility of maintaining the roads to ensure we are driving on the safest roads possible. Enhanced signage and lighting can increase visibility and help prevent accidents, especially at night or in inclement weather. Driving in the night increases chances of car accidents for all ages, but for teenagers it’s three times more dangerous than adults. Advanced safety technologies in vehicles such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning systems, and blind spot monitoring systems can help prevent accidents and reduce car crashes. Electric car companies such as Tesla and Rivian have set the tone for safety as they are less prone to be involved in accidents due to their software updates and road safety recognition features. With a combination of safer roads and improving vehicle technology we can make our roads safer for everyone on the road and lower the number of accidents and fatalities.

Many don’t realize the power they have behind a wheel, the ability to drive 60 miles in one hour, without the proper handling can create a dangerous situation for other drivers and bystanders. According to the DMV, most people will be involved in at least one vehicle accident in their lifetime. And one of three people in those accidents will experience an injury or death. Some of those victims are due to product error, such as a brake malfunction or a faulty brake light, which is why it’s recommended to perform regular vehicle checks. But most accidents are due to human error, not enough sleep, checking phone notifications, or driving under the influence. Poor decision making on the roads can be avoided by eliminating distractions and ensuring we are fully capable of driving as hurting our fellow Americans can easily be avoided. Although we can’t eradicate all traffic accidents we can certainly reduce the probability of them occurring by improving driver education, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and advancing traffic and vehicle technologies.