Behind the Books, Behind the Wheel

Driving, although a common
normalcy, can quickly turn into a dangerous disaster. In just 2019
alone, there have been 37,461 fatalities due to car accidents in the
United States of America. Some causes of car wrecks are due to
texting, sleeping, or drinking while driving. However, an enormous
cause of car accidents may be ignorance of the laws and or techniques
of driving. The people involved in those car wrecks may not be aware
of the common courtesy of always driving on the right side of the
road and go into the lane which is entitled ¨WRONG WAY.¨ Another
person may be unaware that they should put their car lights on if the
weather permits or if the sun is no longer out. The drivers may not
know how to put their lights on or their windshield wipers. This is
why driving education is so important, so that people do not get hurt
because of something that could have been prevented. Had those
people driven on the right side of the road, knew how to put their
lights or windshield wipers on, they could have prevented a big
misfortune. Education in driving could prevent accidents, and more
importantly, save lives. In order to provide more education in the
field of operating motor vehicles, schools could offer a class in
which students as young as high school education, learn the rules of
the road. Ensuring that students take a class in which they learn
the tips and tricks of driving, following the driving laws,
regardless if they will go on to become drivers, leaves society with
a feeling of security that a car accident will not be caused by
ignorance of the rules. For example, as a high school senior, I
myself have witnessed another peer of mine breaking a law while
driving that they were unaware of. For example, in Massachusetts, a
driver may not drive with a hood of any kind on because it will block
their peripheral vision. My friend and I did not know this law even
existed, until a friend of mine had pointed it out. Luckily, we had
not gotten into an accident prior to this knowledge, however it could
have gone very wrong, very soon, had we not been enlightened of the
law. Drivers can take steps to better their driving by making sure
they understand and acknowledge all of the laws that account for
driving. Although some may understand the laws, they may not
acknowledge the laws, which is the most important part of driving.
For instance, one may know that texting while driving is illegal,
however they will continue to do it. Acknowledging the importance of
laws is a part of the characteristic of responsibility. If a person
is not responsible, they should not be driving. A way to increase
one’s responsibility of their driving skills, is to remind them
that not only are their lives at stake while their driving, other
people’s lives are at stake as well. People may not care about the
fate of their lives, but it is crucial to care about the impact of an
accident on another person’s life. To help others become better,
safe drivers, make sure to spread your knowledge and if someone is
being negligent, say something. Education is key, in all instances
in life.