It Only Takes A Second

Driving is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. Every time we get behind the wheel, we are making a choice that can have life-altering consequences. Tragically, the number of deaths on the road is staggering and new drivers are especially vulnerable. In fact, the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 globally is road traffic accidents. This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us, especially new drivers, to understand the importance of being safe and educated drivers. From distracted driving to alcohol-impaired driving, the risks on the road are numerous and the statistics are harrowing. It is imperative that we educate ourselves and take the necessary steps to become responsible, knowledgeable drivers in order to reduce the risk of accidents and save lives.

The leading causes of death on the road include distracted driving, such as texting and driving, reckless behavior like speeding and aggressive driving, and alcohol-impaired driving. The statistics are terrifying. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. When you text and drive, you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the task of driving. This can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and even death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 26% of all car crashes in the United States are caused by texting and driving. When you text and drive, you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the task of driving. This can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and even death. A survey by AT&T found that 97% of teenagers know that texting while driving is dangerous, yet 43% of them admitted to doing it anyway.

Driver’s education is a crucial tool in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. It provides drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly, including information on traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, defensive driving, and responsible decision-making. Driver’s education also increases awareness of potential hazards, such as distracted driving and encourages responsible habits, like wearing seat belts and following the speed limit. By providing drivers with the necessary tools to make safe and responsible decisions, driver’s education helps to create a safer and more responsible driving culture, ultimately reducing the number of fatalities on the road.

Demonstrating potential dangers while driving can be an important part of driver’s education. Virtual reality simulators can provide a realistic and immersive experience of the dangers of texting while driving. This can give teenagers a firsthand experience of the consequences of this behavior, which can be more impactful than just hearing about it. Role-playing activities can be used to show teenagers how easily accidents can happen when they text and drive. They can act out different scenarios and see the consequences of their actions. Partnering with local law enforcement agencies to conduct mock enforcement operations and traffic safety checkpoints can help to demonstrate the consequences of texting and driving and the real-life enforcement actions that can be taken against those who engage in this behavior.

We must make a conscious effort to remain focused and safe while driving. It starts by making the conscience decision to put our phones away while behind the wheel. My parents and I signed a contract that we will not text while driving. They recognized it is not simply a problem for new drivers or teens, but for everyone. I also activate the “Do Not Disturb” mode on my phone, a feature that can automatically silence notifications and calls, or toss it in my trunk when I get in the car. This eliminates the likelihood that I will be tempted to check my phone while driving. I can Bluetooth my phone and access the hands-free feature if I am going on a road trip, but I find it an unnecessary distraction when driving to school or around town. My phone automatically notifies the sender that I am driving and will reply when I reach my destination. I will also speak up if I notice a friend texting while driving. Sometimes a reminder and a little bit of positive peer pressure are enough to make them put their phone away and focus on driving. Texting while driving is tempting and difficult to avoid, but not impossible. My life and the life of others is far more important than any text.

In conclusion, driver’s education is a crucial step in reducing the number of deaths related to driving. Every day, innocent lives are lost due to preventable car accidents. By providing proper education and training to new drivers, we can equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the roads safely. As a society, we have the power to make a difference, protect our loved ones and ourselves, and ensure that our roads are a place of safety, not a tragedy. It’s time to prioritize driver’s education, invest in the future of our communities, and make a commitment to saving lives on the road. Let us act now, for the sake of every person who has lost their life in a preventable car accident and for the countless others who are counting on us to make the roads a safer place.

Works Cited

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Distracted Driving, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

National Safety Council (NSC), Distracted Driving, https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving

AT&T, It Can Wait, https://www.itcanwait.com/