Name: Abbigail Bonham
From: Sherwood, OR
Votes: 0
In
the Driver’s Seat
Automobiles
have remained an everyday commodity since 1885. The average American
owns two vehicles and 35% of American’s own three or more cars. The
United States is ranked the third country in the world for the most
road and vehicle related deaths; averaging one million deaths a year.
The number one cause for road and highway traffic death is distracted
driving, new drivers often have little understanding of the
responsibility being a driver holds.
The
Drivers ed program has provided new drivers with examples of
safe driving and road awareness since 1934. They provide examples
showing the reality of reckless driving and how it changes the lives
around us. Studies have shown that teenagers who have taken a Drivers
Ed course are 40% less likely to have a speeding ticket and 4.9% less
likely to be involved in a car accident. Young adults who do not
participate in a drivers ed course are 75% more likely to get a
traffic ticket, 16% more likely to be involved in an accident, and
24% more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. This concluded
that the positive impact Drivers Ed has on young drivers has greatly
reduced the risk of receiving a speeding ticket as well as being
involved in a fatal accident in that teen’s life. If we are to look
for ways to make the roads of America safer, we must start with the
generation that will uphold America in the future.
Encouraging
safe driving practices as well as adapting new intelligent driving
cars will be key to creating a safer environment on our roads. If
distracted driving is the number one cause of vehicle accidents, the
most effective solution would be to slightly remove the physical
driving. With the modern technology, self-driving cars are becoming
increasingly popular and have been shown much safer to drive. With
the car sensors and cameras, the car’s space cushion can be set to
a consistent distance, it is able to make driving in traffic safer,
and is able to recognize sudden motion or objects in front of the
vehicle and stop to prevent accidents. With this new technology,
driving has become safer and the more we take advantage of this, the
closer we will be to reducing the annual vehicle deaths every year in
the United States.
Through
my experience as a new driver, I have faced a variety of experiences,
from the ignorance of other drivers on the road and my lack of
awareness to my own surroundings. It is my responsibility-as a
driver-to ensure that following the law, maintaining awareness while
driving, and keeping the road safe in every way possible are my top
priorities. Regardless that I cannot control other drivers on the
road, I can ensure my own responsible driving by abiding by the laws
and setting a good example for other drivers on the road. It is each
driver’s responsibility to continue striving for safety on the road
for both themselves and others.
