Driver Education Initiative – The Importance of Safe Driving

The
Importance of Safe Driving

Driving
today is a very “nonchalant” task in the minds of people in
today’s society, and it’s just foolish to think like that. Losing a
family member to impaired driving made me realize the importance of
safe driving, but I wouldn’t wish that on anyone to learn that way.
People today are very reckless drivers with driving under the
influence of drugs, their lack of awareness and the biggest killer;
the smart phone. Although all these problems lead to car accidents
and sadly deaths, with every problem there is a solution.

In
2016, more than ten thousand people would tragically die due to DUI
related car accidents. It’s absolutely horrible as it’s not just
their life that’s being taken, as in some cases the victim of these
accidents will pairish. It gets even worse as over one million drunks
are tickets per year and that’s only one percent of the
111
million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S.
adults each year. These statistics are absolutely frightening to see
just how dangerous the road can be, people don’t understand the
harm they can cause with a mixture of drinking and driving. The
problem is its socially accepted, every adult has at least one story
on this subject, but only some are lucky enough to tell the story.
Although drinking and driving is the most popular form of DUI, the
legalization of Marijuana has been collecting deaths on roads too. As
found on “Pewtrusts.org” we learn that in these crashes that
thirty eight perent of them tested positive for marijuanna. Crazy to
see in over half of fatal accidents these legal drugs played a part
in their death. This is a serious issue that of course will not be
fixed overnight, but it’s time to make a change. In an ideal world if
you’re going behind the wheel make sure you’re sober, but even I know
the world is far from perfect and parties exist. In that case, assign
a designated driver for the night, or just know your limits. Don’t
risk your life because of one more shot or one more hit, life is
already short don’t put it at risk.

It’s
not always drugs that are corrupt, it can be yourself and your lack
of awareness. Distractions are everywhere. The radio, something on
the road, people are very easily distracted, but rather than looking
at the accident why don’t you just drive by and pay attention so
that’s not you. If I asked you where you believe most car accidents
happen you would probably tell me the freeway or the highway, but the
answer to that question will turn a lot of heads. Most car accidents
actually occur within twenty-five miles from your home, and as
esurance puts it “the relaxation we feel caused by the repetition
of driving through our own neighborhood likely plays a role.”
People drive in that area all the time it’s so familiar to them they
feel like they don’t need to pay close attention, but the facts are
that its actually more dangerous and if you’re behind the wheel no
matter what its time to get serious. “It’s only down the street
you don’t need to put your seatbelt on”, have you ever heard that
phrase before? Although it’s better than it once was, some people
still have trouble putting on the seatbelt. Last year seat belts
saved almost fifteen thousand people, yet you still won’t put it on.
Makes zero sense, say what you want, but at the end of the day do you
want comfort or your life? Another problem with very simple
solutions. Always put your seatbelt on no matter how close it is as
stats show it’s actually more likely you get into an accident close
to your home. Always be aware of your surroundings and if we can do
all these and keep eyes on the road we will live in a more safe
driving society, something everyone can agree would be splendid.

Now
to the biggest killer and is rapidly growing every year, the Cell
phone. Everyone has one and they are so easily accessible and with
the impatient human race in the US it no secret cell phone are being
used daily while driving. Literally every person is a victim of using
their phone and driving which is so baffling after looking at the
numbers. Twenty- Five percent of all accidents are caused by the cell
phone and texting and driving is six times more likely to get you in
an accident than drinking and driving, now tell me which one gets a
more negative connotation and do the numbers suggest that’s the
truth. Last year over forty six hundred people would never see
another day just because they could put their phone down. Such a
simple device claims so many deaths a year and yet it even though for
obvious reasons its illegal it is socially acceptable to use your
cell phone and drive, insane. Doesn’t matter if you’re at a red
light, just skipping a song numbers don’t lie and it’s time to stop
this and seriously why would you post that you’re driving, no one
cares anyway! The text can wait, they’ll understand you didn’t want
to endanger your life. At the end of the day it’s just best to put
the cell phone away, I know first hand it can be very tempting, but
the moment you put it away you’ll be amazed at the wonders it does
for you. Don’t end up like the unlucky four thousand, be safe and
responsible.

Driving
is a task that should no longer be taken lightly. There are many
factors that lead to unsafe driving, but the solutions to these
problems are very simple and need to be taken into action. I know one
person can’t change people’s behavior, but with this essay I hope
to the reader or readers this can raise awareness to this subject
that claims so many lives. Tell the people you love about the harm
they can cause with imparred driving so the next time you hang out
you don’t see them in a casket.

Works
Cited

“Esurance
Insurance Company.” Esurance,
www.esurance.com/info/car/where-car-accidents-happen-most.

“Impaired
Driving: Get the Facts | Motor Vehicle Safety | CDC Injury Center.”
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html.

Olinger,
David, and Ellie Mulder. “Mixed Findings on Colorado Marijuana,
Traffic Deaths.” Colorado
Springs Gazette,
23 Nov. 2018,
gazette.com/news/mixed-findings-on-colorado-marijuana-traffic-deaths/article_ec6a8f4c-a722-11e8-9c81-17b5312abb33.html.

“Texting
and Driving Statistics 2019: The Zebra.” Compare
Car Insurance Rates and Get Free Quotes | The Zebra,
www.thezebra.com/texting-and-driving-statistics/.