Reclaiming the Roads

Driver
education is the most critical aspect of learning how to drive. It
teaches the necessary skills to make responsible decisions and how to
keep others and oneself safe. This instruction prevents deaths
from occurring as students who have taken drivers ed are
aware of how to decrease the likelihood of being in an accident. By
raising awareness about the dangers of texting and driving and
driving under the influence, drivers are less likely to participate
in such risky actions and are more likely to encourage their peers to
choose alternate paths as well. To reduce the number of driving
related deaths, it is important to consider how much driving has
changed with an increased technology presence. Teaching people about
how using phones is dangerous is helpful but does not necessarily
guarantee that drivers can pry themselves away from their device. By
implementing more hands-off technology such as Bluetooth into cars,
people are less likely to be holding their phones and not focused on
the road. Another strategy could be to have drivers retake a safety
course in driving when they renew their license or if they receive a
ticket. This could cement the idea that driving while distracted is
bad and help reinforce the belief that safety is more important than
answering a text. 

Unfortunately,
too many times I have seen my friends make irresponsible choices
while driving. I have also been involved in an accident where the
other driver was distracted. (Have you?) This is why increasing
awareness for safe driving practices is important to me. There are
many things we cannot control while driving–the weather, the road
conditions, or the random squirrel that decides to dart across the
street. However, we can control whether we pick up our phone or drive
the speed limit. When people make responsible, safe choices, they
make the roads just a little bit safer. On my part, I lead by example
by never using my phone while driving (uh huh sure) and when I am the
passenger in the car, I offer to text for the driver, so they remain
focused on the road.  I have witnessed many of my friends behave
responsibly while driving which is why this topic is so important to
me. I have also been on the receiving end of what happens when a
driver is distracted. Sometimes accidents are inevitable because of
weather conditions or faulty equipment, but it is important that
everyone does their part in making the roads a safer place. I can
lead by example for my peers by not using my phone while they are in
the car with me or by asking them not to use their phones while they
are driving. Another step would be to heed the instructions given by
drivers ed teachers because while they may seem too overboard,
the rules were given to help keep us safe. By following the rules and
by being exemplary drivers, we can reclaim the roads and make them a
safer place for everyone.