Know the risk, forgo the risk.

Drivers ed
reduces the number of deaths due to driving by teaching people the
risks that are associated with certain behaviors while driving, how
reckless driving can affect others, and how to be a law abiding
citizen to reduce traffic incidents. If people are not taught the
risks and consequences they will likely take part in risky behaviors
until they either hurt themselves and their future, or someone
else’s’.

Reduction of deaths
from driving can be done through education and harsher consequences
for risky behaviors. Education I feel should be started younger than
driving age, since it generally takes hearing something three times
to instill an idea into someone’s head. This would allow teenagers
to better remember and know the consequences for risky behaviors
while driving. They should also be encouraged to silence their phones
or put it in do not disturb mode while driving to prevent distracted
driving. Education of proper road rules and etiquette should also be
taught to prevent accidents due to misunderstandings or improper
conduct on the road.

Harsher consequences
for risky behaviors that could be considered would be higher fines,
license restrictions, or license suspensions for people caught
engaging in them or who have caused an accident due to them. I feel
that most people would not perform risky behaviors as much if the
consequences were harsher.

I have seen a friend
drive irresponsibly by texting while driving. Luckily nothing
happened, but I should have spoken up and told her I didn’t feel
comfortable with her doing that while driving. A co-worker of mine
got into a bad accident on the way to work while looking down for a
moment to silence her phone that was ringing. She was pretty badly
hurt and it really showed me how being distracted for a few seconds
can have big consequences.

One step I can take
to be a less risky driver is silencing my phone all the time while
driving. I don’t always silence my phone even after what happened
with my co-worker, but I really should do that because I don’t want
to get hurt like she did. Another way I can be a better driver is
using either a hands free device or phone stand if I do need to make
a phone call while driving, but an even better strategy would be is
to pull over if I need to answer or make a call or call the person
back if needed after I’ve arrived at my destination. I try to
driving appropriately for the weather conditions, so I try to
mitigate my driving risks in that way all the time.