The Importance of Driving Education

The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is to show that young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are more likely to get a traffic ticket then other people who are more likely to be involved in a fatal of injury accident and other people who more likely to have an accident. Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident. Some research has suggested that increased physical and cognitive limitations in rural older drivers are a con-

contributing factor for their increased risk of severe injuries from crashes compared to their urban counterparts. As you age, your joints may get stiff, and your muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults, might affect your ability to drive. “These changes can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely” (Strogatz et al 2 ). The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is always insist everyone fasten their seat-belts when they enter the vehicle, never get behind the wheel if your intoxicated or under any drugs, get supervised driving practice if needed, limit your night driving, drive slow and safe for starters, have the right attitude about driving. Always insist that all passengers buckle up in every seat. According to the Motor Vehicle Safety division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this reduces the risk of death and injury by nearly 50%.Never get behind the wheel if you’re impaired by alcohol or other drugs. Always on the side of caution, keeping in mind that even one drink compromises your ability to drive safely. Remember, even medication prescribed by a doctor can also be impaired. Always remember that when it comes to distracted driving your cell phone is not the only culprit. “In general people who perceive

dangerous driving behaviors as riskier and/or less beneficial tend to report lower engagement in them” (Shoots-reinhard et al 2). The willingness of a driver to engage in risky driving behavior depends on their perception of the danger involved . Distractions such as fast food and FM radio dials can also take your eyes and mind off the road. Seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing deaths and serious injuries in traffic crashes. As the most effective safety device in vehicles, they save nearly 12,000 lives and prevent 325,000 serious injuries in America each year. No I have never had an experience of being in a car accident or have i seen my friends or family members driving irresponsibly. “Alcohol consumption is one of the main risk factors for death by road injuries and traffic-related crashes” (Borges et al 1). Drunk driving causes accidents because of alcohol’s effect on the function of the brain. Alcohol can impair thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination, which are necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle. Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention. Check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If a vehicle is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down or pull over to avoid it. If the driver is driving so dangerously that you’re worried, try to get off the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit if it’s safe to do so. Also, keep an eye on pedestrians, bicyclists, and pets along the road. Keep your speed down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your speed matches conditions. In addition, higher speeds make controlling your vehicle that much more difficult if things go wrong. To maintain control of your vehicle, you must control your speed.  Always obey the posted speed limit. Speeding tickets are costly, and penalties for speeding can include fines, court appearances and loss or suspension of your driving privileges. Also, depending on your insurance policy, speeding tickets can raise your rates. More than half of respondents (52%) said driver’s education is outdated.

Works Cited

Borges, Guilherme, et al. “Global Estimates of the Attributable Risk of Alcohol Consumption on Road Injuries.” Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, vol. 45, no. 10, Oct. 2021, pp. 2080–89.

Shoots-Reinhard, Brittany, et al. “Support for Legislative, Technological, and Organizational Strategies to Reduce Cellphone Use While Driving: Psychological Predictors and Influences of Language.” Traffic Injury Prevention, vol. 22, no. 7, 2021, pp. 507–13.

Strogatz, David, et al. “Importance of Driving and Potential Impact of Driving Cessation for Rural and Urban Older Adults.” The Journal of Rural Health : Official Journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association, vol. 36, no. 1, Jan. 2020, pp. 88–93.