Driver Education Initiative – It Can Wait

It
Can Wait

“Thanks
for your message. I’m driving, but I’ll get back to you when I
get off the road. No text is worth a life. It Can Wait.”

Motor
vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death. “Nearly 1.5 million
people die in road crashes each year” according to the Association
For Safe International Road Travel. Many times when we are on the
road, we lose all the mechanisms of safe driving. We have one goal:
to reach our destination. Driving is a critical part of life,
especially as teenagers; It is something we do everyday. We become so
excited to get on the road that we don’t realize every time we put
on a seatbelt we are at risk. Let’s face it, driving is dangerous.
Drivers ed exposes society to the reality of the events
that happen on the road. It is important to receive second hand
experience that drivers ed provides so we can become safer
drivers.

Although
you may not be in a vehicle with someone else, you drive for everyone
on the road. Therefore, the decisions you make while driving affect
others. This includes driving under the influence, texting and
driving, taking your eyes off the road for an extended period of
time, and many other factors that contribute to reckless driving.
Cell phones are tempting. I am aware of that. Because I am aware, I
have an app on my cellular device called DriveMode. Everytime I get
into a moving car I can choose to have the app automatically turn to
drive mode, which prevents me from using any features I haven’t
uploaded on the app. This ensures I can keep myself and others safe
when I’m driving.

My
father has been in an accident. He was stopped on a hill and a car
rear ended him, which caused him to hit the person in front of him as
well. His car was totaled, and he ended up with a back injury. A car
can travel 44 feet in at 30 miles per hour, so imagine going 60.
Staying focused and alert are the two most important aspects of
driving safely. It is also important to stay educated and help others
to stay educated so that we can reduce driving accidents and ensure
safety among others.

• What
  is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the number deaths
  as a result of driving?

• What
  steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to
  driving?

• Have
  you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen
  your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?

• What
  steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help
  others become safer on the road?