Taking Responsibility

Driving is a huge responsibility, one we tend to overlook everyday.
When drivers are negligent, they cause fatal accidents and claim
lives. It is essential that we know how to reduce dangerous driving
habits.

Drivers ed
can reduce the number of deaths related to driving by educating
drivers on the rules of the road, how to follow them, and how to
avoid penalties that come from disobeying the laws. Taking driver’s
ed allows you to practice driving on the road with a clear
understanding of the rules and safety measures ahead of time, rather
than learning them on the go. Confidence in your driving abilities
allows you to comfortably and naturally respond more effectively in
difficult driving situations, and as a result become a safer driver.

One habit that
drivers should particularly avoid is driving under the influence.
Drinking is illegal for anyone under the age of 21, but adding in
driving makes it especially dangerous. Every day in the United
States, roughly 30 people die from alcohol-related driving accidents,
according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Alcohol and drugs impair reasoning and reflexes, which is why many
drunk drivers overestimate their ability to drive safely or believe
they won’t get caught. Planning ahead can save lives – take a cab
or assign a sober driver, making sure your friends do the same.

Another step that
can be taken to avoid accidents is speeding. Speeding is also
hazardous, as driving faster than the posted speed limit increases
the chances of collision on its own, but often occurs with other
risky behavior, such as distracted driving, road rage, and even drunk
driving.

Additionally, not
wearing seatbelts is another small mistake that drivers make , but
one that can have major consequences. Wearing a seatbelt can
dramatically reduce or prevent injuries, yet many drivers don’t
consistently wear one. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, seat belts can reduce serious crash-related injuries
and deaths by about half.

Phone and social
media usage during driving is also another cause of accidents on the
road. Using a cell phone while driving caused an estimated 1.5
million car accidents in the U.S. in 2018, according to the National
Safety Council. A single text results in an average distraction of 5
seconds, during which time a car going 55 mph will travel the length
of a football field. During this time, anything can happen, from
hitting a pedestrian to getting into a car crash. Texting causes you
to shift your focus from the road ahead to your phone, and as a
result, accidents can occur.

Overall, there
are many dangers that drivers face on the road and these dangers can
be especially deadly if drivers are inexperienced. It is important to
be educated about those dangers and know how to be safe while
driving, by following the rules and making sure you know what you’re
doing to stay safe as much as possible.