Driving
is an iconic rite of passage that every teenager can reminisce on.
It’s a symbol of increased independence and a sign that adulthood
is coming quickly, but it also means more responsibility. While
everyone hopes that they are safe when they drive, the sad reality is
that this is not always the case. Thousands of Americans die in car
accidents every year, but with better awareness the number of fatal
accidents can be greatly reduced.

One
of the most important ways to increase awareness about this issue is
through better educating future drivers. Drivers’ education courses
should stress the importance of avoiding distracted driving,
something that society struggles with greatly today. It is crucial
that young drivers learn such lessons because of their higher risk of
being in an accident, which not only endangers their lives but also
the lives of others. Being well-educated helps to solve many types of
problems that we face throughout life, so by better educating drivers
the number of fatal accidents will decrease. 

In
addition to improved drivers’ education, continuing to remind
current drivers about the risks they face on the road is also an
important step in reducing the number of deadly crashes. Whether it’s
through advertising campaigns on television or social media about
avoiding distracted driving, aggressive driving habits, or drunk
driving, or simply offering advice to friends and family, reminding
today’s drivers about how to stay safe on the road is both an easy
and effective method to prevent deadly accidents. Also, increasing
awareness about tools to help those that may be tempted to drive
under dangerous conditions is another critical step in solving this
epidemic. Companies such as Uber or Lyft are a great resource for
people who may have been drinking and should not be driving, and
turning on the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode on your cell
phone helps with getting rid of unnecessary distractions. By
encouraging drivers to take advantage of such tools and also
reminding them of the dangers they may face on the road, driving can
become much less dangerous.

While
I am lucky enough to have never been in a serious car accident
before, both my father and my grandfather have been. My father was
hit on the passenger side of his car when someone failed to stop at a
red light, and my grandfather was hit from behind when a distracted
driver ignored a stop sign. I am extremely thankful to say that both
made it out without any serious injuries, but had those other drivers
been paying more attention neither of these accidents would have
happened.

I
can help myself become a safer driver by continuing to avoid using my
phone while I’m driving and driving defensively as I was taught in
my drivers’ training class. To help others be safer drivers I can
encourage them to follow the steps I previously laid out on how to
prevent fatal crashes. Through these efforts, driving in America can
become much safer.