In 2021, a total of 39,508 motor vehicle crashes resulted in a total of 42,939 fatalities. Statistically, there are 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Additionally, approximately 77% of all drivers were recorded to have been in at least one accident, and a whopping 19,937 crashes daily. Driving-related incidents have never left society and I do not know of a single person who can wholeheartedly say they do not know someone who has been in an accident. Personally, I have been in two accidents throughout my life. Although both accidents were minor and everyone escaped unharmed, the incidents were incredibly preventable. One of the accidents was merely reckless driving and resulted in a hit-and-run. One second, we were waiting to enter the rotary, and the very next, someone rear-ended my mother. There was clearly no space, yet the driver still wanted to rev the engine up and go straight ahead. Unfortunately, the driver escaped when my mother moved her vehicle to collect information from the other driver and check up on the driver’s situation. The driver was recklessly driving their vehicle and hit another vehicle during the escape. Regardless, the driver hit the gas pedal and speeded away before exchanging information. At the time, my mother did not have a dash cam for her vehicle, and had there been a dash cam, the results of the insurance claim would be much different.
The second collision was my close friend’s and he struggled greatly. Similar to many teenagers and young adults, our car insurances are all under our parents. He had not paid for his car insurance and often did not think twice regarding what he should do in the face of issues. Throughout the process, my friend was unsure as to what he should do, and barely knew the procedure or consequences of reckless driving. My friend was known to drive above the speed limit and often participated in distracted driving. Ultimately, my friend called his mother and realized how dangerous the accident could be. Unfortunately, his crash was a difficult and costly lesson to be a more responsible driver. Although I have never been in an accident myself, the two experiences of reckless driving have set a freight down my spine.
In the state of Massachusetts, an individual can apply for and receive their permit at the age of sixteen. Following the permit, someone can receive a restricted license at sixteen and six months, with a full license at eighteen. The majority of people around me received their licenses between the ages of seventeen and eighteen. Therefore, we were all required to finish our driver’s education before receiving a driver’s license. Driver education allowed for demonstrations of defensive driving tactics, tips, and trips for driving under different weather conditions, and spoke of the tricks of car insurance. Personally, I found the conversations regarding driving in different weather conditions the most helpful. I live in Massachusetts and everyone who knows anything about Massachusetts knows about the immense weather shifts. Every winter there is great fear of snow and icy roads. Then there is spring with heavy spring showers coming by daily. I could not tell you the number of times I have witnessed drivers getting into accidents every winter from driving on slippery roads. There are numerous times when I can think of the number of people who drive without an ounce of defensive driving in mind. Simple tasks such as signaling before a turn or stopping at the sight of a stop sign sway the mind of some drivers. However, people often face the consequences, as I have seen people hit other vehicles when they forget to signal or ram right into a vehicle after they did not stop and look.
Reckless driving often occurs without intent. I do not know of anyone who leaves their homes with the intent of creating harm to themselves or others; however, reckless driving often occurs without consciousness. For example. I think everyone has taken a glance or two at their phones while driving or picking up a phone call. It is virtually impossible to completely rid of reckless driving because humans are beings who can create their own decisions. However, I believe driver’s education could play an immense role in preventing reckless driving.
To reduce driving foes in the United States, I suggest that driver’s education be a requirement for more people, and not be a requirement for only those that are under the age of eighteen. Additionally, I think driver’s education should be extended for a longer period. Driver’s education should also provide its students with more information on the consequences of reckless driving. For example, placing numbers to facts, such as the cost of repair, car insurance, and more. I also believe the passing score for the permit exam should be enhanced from 80% to between 85-90%. Furthermore, people should be required to wait a longer period and submit proof of attending a class or behind-the-wheel driving hours to be able to retake the exams. As someone who had gone through driver’s education, I understand how expensive the process is, and I suggest there be reformation so that classes could be made more affordable. Finally, it is of utmost importance to achieve an equal level with more strict outlines for road tests. For example, there were multiple occurrences where people wished for one examiner over the other because certain instructors were more lenient. Therefore, I believe the examination for becoming a road test examiner should be changed from an online exam into an in-person examination. Different states also receive different statistics from northern states, generally containing safer drivers. The difference could be related to education, financial situations, and different requirements for driving. Another predominant issue in collisions is allowing for those who are incapable to maintain their license. For example, some elderly hold onto their licenses much longer than they should. People should receive routine check-ups to maintain that they are able-bodied to drive, potentially check-ups every two to three years could be plausible.
As a society, we need to continue to stress the importance of distracted driving. In China, and other parts of Asia, there are programs where an individual is allowed to hire someone to drive their vehicle in place of them when they are intoxicated, under the influence, or unable to drive due to other reasons. I believe a program similar to that would immensely decrease the number of accidents that occur under the influence.
Driver’s education is an inevitable part of preventing reckless driving. It is virtually impossible to extinguish collisions and reckless driving; however, it is greatly possible to prevent poor driving. With enough preservation and drive, we can prevent further reckless driving and limit the number of fatalities.