Reducing Fatal Accidents

It
is paramount to teach drivers ed because the majority of fatal
accidents involve one of the drivers being distracted or not obeying
traffic laws such as stop signs and traffic laws. Distracted driving
does not just incorporate texting and can even be the result of
someone trying to navigate through the use of a GPS and looking at
their screen too long instead of the road..

The
best way to teach drivers ed is by exposure of the consequences
that can happen when driving irresponsibly. I know this to be
effective first hand as I have almost been in a fatal accident due to
my brother driving recklessly. We were driving home and my brother
decided not to stop at our stop sign and just keep driving straight.
Normally, the route we take does not have a lot of other vehicles on
the road, so he thought there was no present danger. However, at this
particular time the local bus was on the road perpendicular to ours.
The bus did not have a stop sign so they kept going straight. My
brother and I almost were almost hit on the side by a vehicle that
was three times as big as our car. Fortunately, my brother did not
panic and freeze but instead sped up so that we could pass the bus.
This situation would have definitely ended up badly for both sets of
passengers and it could have been avoided if my brother would have
simply stopped at the stop sign. After being put in this situation by
being complacent in the car while my brother drove unsafe, I vowed to
always remind someone I am in the car with to drive more responsibly
when I see them doing something careless.

After
this incident, my brother did begin to drive more safely and
definitely stopped at stop signs. This method was effective but
obviously cannot be applied to other drivers as it is dangerous. An
appropriate alternative would be showing drivers personal testimonies
from individuals who have been a part of accidents or lost someone
due to one and even some gruesome depictions of fatal accidents. It
is best not to gloss over the cruel reality of what can happen from
one mistake.

Disregarding
traffic laws and being distracted by texting or a GPS are situations
that can be avoided. Most traffic laws are ignored due to the driver
being in a rush or being impatient. By showing evidence of the
consequences, it will make a shorter drive not as important as
preserving a life or current amount of limbs. Additionally there are
now car add-ons that can hold your phone up so that it is easier to
look at both the road and your phone. Teaching drivers ed is
very important because getting in a car should not come with such a
high risk of injury or worse.