We Can Make the Change

Waiting
at the DMV is deadly boring, right? A few hours on-line is nothing,
though, compared to the horrible destruction that results from
automobile accidents. Year after year, thousands of Americans die in
these preventable tragedies and there are countless causes for them,
including impaired judgment, road rage, and distractedness. What can
we do about this perennial epidemic? We already have the tools to
cure it. “Drivers ed,” including online seminars, reading
materials, and in-person training sessions, is one of the most
critical ways through which drivers learn the rules of the road.
Expanding drivers ed is a surefire method of reducing car
accidents: properly informed drivers will avoid the most common
situations in which accidents occur, saving lives in the process.
Many state DMVs already offer free online drivers ed, so there
is no excuse for not taking initiative.

Besides
drivers ed, there are several actions we can take in order to
prevent automobile deaths. Here’s an easy one: don’t drive while
intoxicated. Not only is it illegal, but it can easily claim lives as
drivers lose both their judgment and their control of the vehicle,
making it easy for collisions to occur. Of course, all drivers should
already know not to do it from drivers ed. Another pearl of
wisdom to always keep in mind: don’t text and drive. Turn your
phone off, put it on hands-free mode, anything to prevent you from
picking it up and causing an accident. Finally, if needed, local
governments should lower the speed limit to decrease the likelihood
of fatal collisions, especially in busy cities. I live in New York
and under the “Vision Zero” campaign, the speed limit is now 25
miles per hour. Though imperfect, the number of automobile-related
deaths has steadily decreased in recent years; I firmly believe that
the saving of lives is a worthwhile tradeoff for a slower “city
that never sleeps.”

I’m
lucky that my family heavily emphasizes the value of safe driving. A
number of my cousins have been on the wrong end of minor car
accidents, and we have learned that we can never be too careful,
especially on the highway. Unfortunately I’ve endured a few
rear-ends as a passenger as well, and I know firsthand the panic and
anxiety that courses through the veins in the moments after an
accident. I’ve seen my father calmly deal with the driver that
bumped into us (even when he could’ve justifiably gotten mad), and
I’ve internalized this model of intelligent negotiation. Because
the danger isn’t over if the drivers start fighting.

Online
drivers ed helped me earn my permit, but even more importantly
it will aid me in being safe in the driver’s seat. When I become of
age to obtain a driver’s license, I will again study up on the
rules of the road and encourage my friends to do the same. Driver
education will not prevent all automobile accidents, but it is a key
step in doing so.