Dangers of Driving: To Save a Life

Dangers
of Driving: To Save a Life

In
my state of Pennsylvania, there has been reported 1,103 fatal crashes
due to motor vehicles. For a state with a population of 12,807,060,
that number accounts for roughly less than 1% of the drivers ranging
from the ages of 16 to 64. However, while the statistics show that
there isn’t much of significance there is the fact that those
individuals deaths remain a prominent scar in their loved one’s
hearts. In a society where technology can pose as a helpful tool, it
also becomes more of a distraction for daily activities. Drivers
education calls for the new upcoming generation of drivers to pay
close attention to ensuring that crashes don’t end up costing more
than a dent in a car. According to many researchers and engineers,
technology has been “doing
more harm than good.” in that drivers have begun to view the
additional safety features implemented within the cars as reasons to
not fear or respect the rules of the road.

Before getting behind the wheel, take time
to inventory what you have and switch off all technological
distractions from Apple watches to even Bluetooth devices. Inform
your family and friends that unless it’s an emergency any calls or
texts will be ignored while you are driving. Pay close attention to
street signs, and other road signs in order to prevent the death of
your close ones and of other individuals loved ones. Wear seatbelts
and make sure your sitting area is clean and ensure that any
passengers know to remain respectively quiet. Remove any hanging
accessories and place any backpacks out of the open area so that if
there’s a sudden halt the backpack isn’t flung into the
windshield or injures the driver. Road rages can happen but remain
cool and collected and ignore those who succumb to such reckless
driving attitudes. The brakes are your friends, while the accelerator
can pose as a temptation so drive slowly; remember “slow and steady
wins the race”.

While
I have yet to be qualified as a driver, I have seen many crashes as
my family travels on long drives. My parents have also gotten into
crashes that have ended with my mom having to get neck surgery even
though the fault is of the other drivers. Even for my father, when I
am with him while he is driving often forgets about respecting the
rules of the road and sometimes is on his phone. Whenever he is on
his phone, as the second eyes on the road for him I become extra
alert and inform him on sudden traffic changes. As a new driver, I
have already resolved to place all technological distractions away
along with warn everyone on how strict I will be while I’m driving.
Since driving is a privilege not a gift to everyone, I will continue
to ensure that I protect other drivers and myself from crashes that
could otherwise be prevented by being extra respectful towards the
road.