Drivers’ Safety is Key

By:
Arriana May

Drivers’
Safety is Key

Did
you know American drivers spend an average of more than 17,600
minutes behind the wheel each year, according to a new survey from
the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety? The research finds that more
than 87.5 percent of Americans aged 16 years and older reported
driving in the past year. With my calculations, the average American
spends 18 days driving per year, with an average of eight hours and
22 minutes per week. When you analyze this data it’s honestly a lot
of your time on the wheel or in a car. That’s why you want to be safe
while driving. When I was 14 I wanted to drive. I told myself I want
to drive to California to go to Coachella. Now I think of it, I’m
more scared to drive than ever. Motor-vehicle crashes are one of the
leading causes of death in the U.S. among minors aged 1 to 19. Out of
20,360 deaths among children in 2019, more than 4,000 lives were lost
because of car accidents. This doesn’t only happen to children but
adults as well. My dad was driving during his break while somebody
did a hit and run on my dad at a stoplight. The rear end of his car
was gone. He had to get a new car and take off work to do physical
therapy. His back was so bad and you can tell he was in a lot of
pain. Reckless, drunk, or distracted drivers are everywhere and we
have to be aware of all types. In drivers ed, you learned to
check your rear-view mirror every 5-8 seconds. But, if you don’t take
drivers ed you aren’t well informed with a lot of safety
driver tips that will help you out along the road. Everybody should
take a drivers ed despite age. About 53% of teens took a
state-approved drivers ed course to qualify for a permit.
That’s about half of teens that are experienced and the other half
unaware of the precautions on the road. Drivers ed is very
important because it teaches new drivers lacking necessary driving
skills and capabilities. Many drivers overestimate their abilities to
multitask. If you think a text message or phone call is too important
to wait, get off the road and bring your car to a complete stop.
Don’t believe the myth that hand-free conversations are safe; more
than one study has shown they’re on a par with drunk driving.
Remember to never get behind the wheel if you’re impaired by alcohol
or other drivers In 2018, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired
driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in
the United States. Drivers ed is an important learning
experience that reduces lives. Always keep in mind that drivers’
safety is a need to stay safe and save lives.