Reckless Driving and its Effects

Driver education informs new drivers on how to drive the safest way on the road, and how to interact and communicate with other vehicles to ensure the utmost safety. This is why it is essential in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. If it was nonexistent, almost all drivers would drive however they deem fit, endangering everyone on the road, and creating chaos and unpredictability. People drive recklessly because they aren’t well aware of road or driving laws. These laws are put into place in order to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. When these laws are neglected, it endangers others.

Similarly, simply following the laws that have been put in place is not enough to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, such as not texting while driving, turning on one’s blinker when changing lanes, driving at speeds safe for conditions, turning on one’s beams, yielding for pedestrians, et cetera. There are also many things outside of the law that one can do to stay safe such as keeping your eyes on the road (no “sightseeing” while driving), keeping both hands on the steering wheel (that includes not eating), getting enough sleep, and not conversing with other passengers unless necessary. Putting on a seatbelt is also very important since it minimizes the force put on one’s body and also distributes it to stronger areas, such as the chest and hips. Unfortunately, many people know about these rules but do not care. As someone who lives in Philadelphia, I see reckless driving all the time: speeding, cutting into lanes too quickly, and not using their flashers. All these people most likely know about the laws put into place for road safety but are too impatient to follow them; they know that what they are doing is reckless, but their actions never really affected someone yet, so they continue to engage in them. They don’t really understand that just because it didn’t happen, it doesn’t mean that it won’t happen. This is where the solution comes in: we must apply pathos and ethos. Pathos is one of the three main forms of rhetoric-it uses emotions to persuade others. Ethos is another main form of rhetoric and usually refers to personal first-hand experience. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) should use these forms of rhetoric by requiring people who wish to get their driver’s licenses to watch a video compilation of people who have had loved ones killed because of reckless driving. They should also require them to watch interviews of people who have killed or seriously injured someone by recklessly driving to show how miserable and guilt-filled their lives are as a result of their actions. I believe most people will be so profoundly impacted by those videos that they will rethink their choices every time they are about to drive hazardously.

I have experienced being in a car accident many times, mostly because the driver behind us was distracted. I also know of family members who died or got injured because of irresponsible driving. In 1990, a drunk truck driver hit and killed my uncle which left my aunt to raise her seven-year-old son alone. One can imagine the level of shock and anguish my cousin experienced when he was told that he would never see his father again. Had that truck driver been driving sober, my cousin could have grown up with his father, like all kids should. Another instance of reckless drivers harming a family member was when my uncle was riding his bicycle and a speeding car hit him. It left him in a coma for two months; everyone thought that he wouldn’t make it. Fortunately, he did make it, but the accident left him disabled with a permanent limp in his right leg and a damaged brain.

From seeing the dangers of reckless driving, I have learned exactly what not to do. Although I do not drive yet (I plan on getting my permit in two months), something that I can do to be a better and safer driver when I do drive is to always be alert: to pay attention to the cars around me, the road signs, and any pedestrians. Another thing I can do is slow down, as this will leave me with more time to react in case something goes wrong. Driving is a serious responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Everyone should strive their best to keep the road safe for everyone.