Name: Kira Smith
From: West Jordan, Utah
Votes: 0
According
to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, the United
States has over 37,000 people die in accidents per year. Another 2.35
million are hurt or debilitated. As we know roads are very important
for transportation, but they can also be very dangerous. So how do
you make them safer? What can we do as drivers to protect us and the
people around us? We can make them safer by learning more about the
risks of driving, learning about the more common crashes on the road
and how to prevent them, being aware of our surroundings, and knowing
that laws are in place to keep us safe.
First,
we should learn more about the risks of driving. Driving is a
privilege that means if you act irresponsibly, then you get denied
that privilege. That goes for others around you as well. We still
come across irresponsible drivers such as tailgaters, rage driver,
new drivers, and intoxicated drivers. As well as drivers being risks
there is weather, road conditions, animals, ect… Part of being a
driver is knowing that there will be risks of crashing and death.
That isn’t to say that you should be scared of driving, but know
that there are actions you can take to prevent the risk of crashing
and death. You can start by wearing your seatbelt. Slowing down if
needed or if you think it might be safer. Giving yourself extra time
to go to a destination. Not speeding when your late. Changing drivers
or pulling off to the side of the road and take a nap if you are
tired. Knowing that you are also risking the lives of others on the
road. As well as learning how to prevent some of the common crashes.
Preventing
crashes sometimes might seem hard, but knowing that almost all
crashes can be prevented will help you develop the skills needed to
prevent them. The number one cause of accidents is distracted
driving. Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs or if you are
distracted by your passengers, there are steps to making the road
safer for everyone. If you are intoxicated, know your state laws on
what your blood alcohol content should be under to drive safely.
Also, have a sober friend with you so they can take your keys and
drive you home. An alternative option is to call a cab or an uber to
take you home. Underage drinking is never ok and you should be
drinking so why should be driving. Another way to prevent distracted
driving is to turn your phone off and/or putting it out of site so
you aren’t tempted to use it. Tell your passengers that you would
rather have them be safe then getting distracted driving. You can
also change things like the radio and the AC while you are stopped in
a safe area not on the road. Doing your research can also help you
prevent crashes if you want to learn how to prevent other crashes
from happening. Taking a defensive driving course is also a great way
to get more information on preventing crashes.
Being
aware. A lot of risks of crashing can be reduced by being aware. This
also applies to knowing how to prevent crashes. While you are a
driver, you have a lot to focus on such as behind, front, and to the
sides of you, your passengers, the speedometer, the time, speed
limits, traffic lights, what the weather is like, tire pressure, ect
… Just take time to scan in front of you. Notice if anything maybe
blocking your view from seeing pedestrians or animals. Search for
things that might be dangerous. Evaluate if it is safer to avoid
these dangerous or if it safer in the position your in. Make a plan
based on the dangers whether you should stay or if you should go.
Then execute the plan. Sometimes if you don’t execute your plan or
change it half way through it might be worse than what might’ve
happened. Also a big factor knowing that the law is to keep you safe.
The speed limit is 80 and the roads are really icy and you know the
law says you have to go the speed limit so you do, you are missing
the whole point of the law. If it safer to go 60 then go 60. But
never ever do something that isn’t safe and might risks people’s
lives.
As
a new driver, I have learned the importance of drivers ed. It
taught me all I have wrote about today and much more. Drivers
education is in place to help you learn how to be a responsible
driver. It is there to help you learn the risks of driving, how to
prevent crashes, and how to be more aware of your surroundings. It
teaches you that safety is what prevents people from losing their
lives including yours.
I
would like to end off with an experience of my dad being an
irresponsible driver by speeding 20 miles over the speed limit. He
didn’t notice because he wasn’t being aware, but when I
acknowledge it he jokingly said slowing while slowing ,” You have
no sense of adventure. “ I replied by saying , “ No, I just don’t
want me and the people around me to die. “ People around you may
say it’s ok wearing a seatbelt , we are only going to here. Or it’s
ok speeding nobody is here. Or even will be ok if we drink and drive,
it’s only my life involved. Tell them to wear their seatbelt
because you couldn’t stand if they died, because of one simple
thing they didn’t do. Tell them that speeding isn’t ok and what
if someone randomly turns the corner and we hit and kill them. Tell
that they wouldn’t like it in jail. Tell them that it more than one
live involved and what happens if your loved one was killed because
of a drunk driver. Help them understand that you lose the privilege
to drive if you driver irresponsibly. Help them understand it is
better to be safe than sorry.
