Name: Matthew Sebalja
From: Fenton, Missouri
Votes: 0
Better
People, Safer Roads
Distracted
driving is one of the most important issues plaguing our society to
date. It is a prevalent, reoccurring issue that has taken the lives
of far too many. However, there is a way to rectify this issue. By
altering the impact drivers ed plays in our lives, taking steps
to reduce incidents as a community, and taking steps as individuals,
we can all make our country a safer and better place to live.
Driver
education can be one of the most essential tools in reducing the
number of driving-related deaths if it is used properly. The current
system is quite effective in teaching the masses the basics of safe
driving, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Possible editions to
the driving exam such as a “risks of distracted driving”
exam will be relatively simple to implement and emphasize the
importance of these modern-day issues. Continuing a tradition of
education could drastically reduce driving-related incidents, as
staying informed is the best tool we have to protect our community.
Once
drivers have been adequately educated there is little, we can do to
affect each driver directly, however, there are many steps we can
take to protect the community. As of now, there are many options to
avoid distracted driving, from applications to alerts. However, these
options are severely underused. As a community, it would be a
monumental step if we were to make a promotional campaign to make
light of these options. Displaying how the temporary disabling of
phones, and other devices from being used outside of GPS will protect
children and others, citizens will see the benefits and related it to
their own families. Inspiring action in today’s world requires
incentives that force people to look in on themselves.
I
speak with such assertiveness on this issue because it is one that
has affected me directly. In early August, I was celebrating my
girlfriend’s birthday with her and her friends. Our driver was a
friend of hers, an eighteen-year-old girl who had just gotten her
license a week prior. While driving on the highway, a deer ran across
the road. Despite the deer stopping severely feet from the vehicle,
our driver was startled and swerved. The car spun multiple times
before flying off of the road into an embankment. No one was hurt,
but I immediately understood why that incident occurred. That driver
was uneducated. This is why drivers ed is important. We must
prepare legal drivers for common situations such as this one if we
want anything to change. If we don’t act, more uneducated drivers
will experience events like this, and they might not be as lucky as
we were.
To
become a better driver myself and protect others, I can start
educating those around me. Letting my friends and family know the
dangers of distracting driving and how they can protect themselves,
will improve both me and them. We can all lead by example and make
our roads a safer place.
