Name: Chris Chan
From: Manhasset, NY
Votes: 0
Christopher
Chan
11/11/19
Driving
Safely in a Dangerous Road
Not
many people expect this, but driving is one of the leading causes of
death in the United States, with over 37,000 fatalities from road
accidents alone. Sadly, most of these cases are preventable and
victims suffer needlessly as a result. As these statistics are
unacceptable for a first-world country, Drivers Ed is crucial if
we want to keep our roads safe and protect our families.
Driver’s
Ed is very important for reducing the number of deaths from driving.
Not only does it teach students how to operate a car, it prepares
students for a variety of scenarios, including an accident. A study
from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln shows that teenagers who
took a drivers ed course were less likely to be involved in a
crash, with 11.1% of the drivers ed group experiencing a crash
compared to 12.9% of those who hadn’t taken a course. The fewer
crashes drivers have, the fewer deaths there will be from driving.
There
are a number of steps people can take to reduce deaths on the road.
First, instate a federal ban on using cellphones while driving.
Driving is a focused activity; it is not meant to be multitasked.
Second, educate kids and teens about the importance of sleep.
Drowsiness is an all-too-often ignored factor when it comes to
crashes. The NHTSA estimates that drowsy driving accounted for 72,000
crashes and 800 deaths in 2013, with the actual statistics
potentially being much higher. Many more steps could be done, but
these are two of what I believe to be the most important steps to
take.
Personally,
I have never seen any of my family members or friends drive
irresponsibly. However, I can attest my belief of driving responsibly
to my mom. She has taught me the importance of driving responsibly at
all times. Whenever I get in the driving seat, I carefully set my eye
on the road, taking note of my mom’s advice of what and what not to
do. Driving becomes just a little less intimidating with her presence
and experience supporting me. When I do get my driver’s license in
the foreseeable future, I can thank my mom for guiding me through the
process and teaching me everything I need to know.
Many
simple things can be done to make people better and safer drivers.
Emphasize the importance of drivers ed not just to teens, but to
parents as well. Learning to drive can’t be self-taught; it has to
be done with a responsible adult. Remind them that driving will never
be a risk-free activity. Turn off all electronics and mute your phone
so you won’t be distracted by any ringing calls. Knowing these
facts will save you from the guilt that comes with an accident. Do
not be the cause of the victim’s heartbreak and potentially lose
thousands of dollars in lawsuits. Have fun driving, but do it
responsibly.
