Engineering Vehicle Safety

Engineering
Vehicle Safety

By:
Emily Branthoover

In the automotive industry, new ways to enhance vehicle safety are
being tested continuously. Driving on the road would be a lot easier
if people acted like their loved one was in every car around them,
but ultimately people do not know how much their driving impact
others. Unfortunately, this is the reality across the United States,
people do not understand how dangerous the road can be.

In drivers ed, they go over the rules of the road in detail
but the teachers need to stress how important being behind the wheel
is. If the dangers of driving were heavily discussed, it could impact
the younger generations and hopefully decrease the number of
accidents we see per year. When someone sits behind the wheel, it is
to be understood that he/she is now in charge of operating heavy
machinery which can result in deadly consequences if not done with
care. A vehicle is thousands of pounds and one mistake could change
everything. A lot of people do not think they are impacting others
when they drive, so they are on their phones, or driving after
drinking, or simply do not pay attention. Driving is not a game and
just because someone did something illegal once and nothing bad
happened, does not give them the right to do it repeatedly. This
problem is huge among our population and not covered enough in
drivers ed classes.

With the large
amount of car accidents in Michigan, I want to focus on material
testing for sturdier roll cages and doors, which is why I am becoming
an engineer. Most fatal automobile accidents involve high speeds from
at least one vehicle. My hopes are to develop a type of roll cage
that can withstand high speed impacts from other vehicles to prevent
casualties. I cannot prevent people from breaking laws on the road,
but I can try everything to provide safer vehicles for my loved ones
and everyone’s loved ones across the world.

Throughout my life, I have been involved in four car accidents and
all of these involved getting hit from behind while sitting at red
lights. I am a careful driver because I know there are lives at stake
if I do not pay attention, and even though I am paying attention, I
cannot prevent accidents from happening because I cannot control
others and what they do while they are driving. This is we need more
education on the dangers of driving and sturdier roll cages to
hopefully prevent vehicle deaths.

Overall, the world
would be a lot safer if people would focus on the road when they are
in the driver’s seat. Drivers ed should stress the
dangers of distracted driving. Vehicle safety is advancing every day
and helping to prevent human error on the road. Safety on the road is
a top priority and with increased vehicle monitoring, we can make the
roads safer for all.