Name: Maria Flores
From: Northridge, CA
Votes: 0
Driving
can be both ecstatic and dangerous. It can be a way to escape from
the world; you feel the cold air hit your face as the music blasts
through your ears, filling you with nostalgia. But, one wrong move
and it can all go downhill. Next thing you know, you end up injured,
stuck upside down in your car. Worst-case scenario, you end up
hurting those around you. But sometimes it’s more than just an
injury; it can be death.
There
is a massive amount of deaths in the U.S. with the leading cause
being driving. It’s unbelievable knowing that driving results in
more deaths than being in combat does. This shows how Americans are
lacking caution and education when it comes to driving. Because of
this, it’s important to emphasize drivers ed. Without it,
more and more people who are inexperienced go out onto the roads
causing safety hazards for other drivers, as well as pedestrians.
Those with little to no drivers ed lack the skills and
experience that are crucial and necessary to ensure safety on the
roads. This is why drivers ed is important; it provides
knowledge by giving people insight into road laws to be a safer
driver and prevent accidents.
Many
factors come into play with deaths caused by driving. A text
distracts you on your phone, you’re under the influence of drugs or
alcohol, or you’re simply an innocent passenger, driver, or
pedestrian who had to pay the consequences for someone else’s
actions. We have to step forward and decrease this number of deaths.
Every 15 minutes somebody dies due to drinking and driving, even if
they weren’t the ones drinking or driving. For this reason, the
step we take here is making sure we don’t drive after consuming
drugs or alcohol. Even if we consume just one bottle or one sip, the
human body can still be put in a state of intoxication. We especially
shouldn’t even be driving others or getting in the car if we know
the driver is under the influence.
Overall,
the steps to take to reduce the number of deaths are to be careful
and cautious. If you’re driving, be aware of your surroundings;
follow the speed limit and have no distractions like your phone or
eating. And, make sure to always wear your seatbelt. On the other
hand, if you’re a pedestrian make sure to watch where you’re
walking and to only cross at an intersection light when it’s green.
I
have never been in a car accident myself or witnessed a family member
be in one, but I have come close to near experiences. For example,
somebody who was driving didn’t pay attention that my dad was
turning the corner, so we could’ve collided with that car had my
dad not slammed on the breaks. So much can change in so little time.
It’s so crazy how it can be you. It can be your family. It can be
an innocent stranger.
