Name: Rachel E Hilby
From: Rockford, IL
Votes: 0
“Today
I could die” is not a thought that crosses many people’s minds
when they sit behind the driver’s wheel. Though this thought seems
extreme, the importance of driving safely is not.
Driving affects
everyone from passengers to pedestrians to drivers. On average, a
total of about 34,000 people per year in the US pass away as a result
of driving, which is about how many Americans died in the whole
Korean War– a 3-year-long war! Every person that interacts with the
street is at risk of being part of an accident. The responsibility of
making smart choices falls on everyone, but it especially applies to
the person behind the wheel. As a driver, a person makes a commitment
to follow the rules of the road and drive in a safe manner for both
himself/herself and other people.
I myself have seen
the effects of negligent driving in my own life. My friend recently
got her license and decided to take four friends out after school.
This was illegal, since she could only have one friend in the car,
and irresponsible. I was driving in the car immediately behind her
when I saw her car go into the other lane and then, after a few
seconds, swerve sharply back into her own lane. I gave her a lot of
space and avoided being too close to her car. As a distracted teen
driver, she was at high risk of being in an accident and having very
serious consequences for her and her passengers. This experience made
me aware of the dangers of distracted driving and breaking laws. I
was worried for my friend and the other cars around her, including
myself.
Educating drivers
is the first step in promoting road safety as seen in a study by the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln1
that states that those who do not complete drivers ed are
24% more likely to be in an injurious accident. Distractions,
including cell phones, conversations, the radio, and food
consumption; impairments, such as intoxication and drowsiness; and
speeding lead to about 60% of car accident fatalities (Beltz)2.
Limiting these factors will greatly increase driving safety. It is
also important to follow the rules of the road and to be actively
aware. Full attention to the road is imperative, especially for
teenage drivers.
Driving safely is
important for all drivers and anyone on the road. To promote safe
driving, I don’t distract myself or fellow drivers with cell phone
use, distracting conversations, or loud music. I also ask my friends
and peers to follow laws and be aware, through my volunteer work with
my school’s health and safety programs and in our conversations. In
fact, already, after less than a year of having my license, some of
my friends have mentioned their bad driving habits, and I have told
them of the huge risks of distracted and bad driving. Spreading the
message and practicing good habits is how I promote safe driving.
