Drive Right, Save A Life

Drive Right, Save A Life

July 17, 2019

by Kiana Glasker

Drivers' safety is by far one of the most talked about issues in our society today. With the number of deaths caused by driving, there is no question why we need to practice driver’s safety. One of the main goals for the teenagers of our society is to pass their driver’s written exam and driving course so that they can get their license. Currently, teenagers are making getting their license a main priority when they come of age to do so. With becoming a licensed driver, there is a great amount of freedom that you experience and on the flipside of that there is an enormous amount of pressure and responsibility. Because teens are in such a rush to obtain this new found freedom, most don’t even think about the dangers associated with driving and the odds of getting into an accident. Every time you get behind the wheel you should realize the importance of driver’s safety. Driver’s safety simply means to “drive right, save a life.” You can make a difference by taking a driver’s course, being mindful of distractions, wearing your seatbelt, and driving the speed limit.

One of the best ways to learn how to practice driver’s safety is to take a defensive driving course or a drivers ed class. These classes inform you of the dangers of the road and the different situations that could happen while driving and how to respond to them correctly. By learning these skills, you have now taken a step in reducing the number of deaths and collisions that happen to teens.

“Drive right, save a life” includes remembering the less distractions the better. Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,166 lives in 2017 alone according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA leads the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior. Distractions can be many things such as texting, loud music, and other people in the car with you. These things are a distraction and keep you from focusing

on the road.

One of the main distractions for teens and drivers in general is the cell phone. The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. The laws have already been changed to implement the importance of keeping your hands on the wheel and not on your cell phone. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers, and 21 states and D.C. prohibit any cell phone use for school bus drivers. Radio, television, and social media are being used to carry the message to stop cell phone usage while driving. The cell phone texting and driving epidemic is still on the rise. Turning the cell phone completely off while driving would allow young drivers to have full focus on what's happening around them.

Loud music is a major distraction because it has been known to slow down your thinking process when driving. According to www.idrivesafely.com, listening to music in your car can be good, even beneficial, to your driving, but listening to loud music in your car can be incredibly distracting. A study by scientists at Newfoundland's Memorial University found that reaction time can slow as much as 20% when someone is listening to loud music. Driver’s safety is practiced when you take a minute to turn your music down when driving.

Believe it or not but talking to people in your vehicle is a major road distraction. Talking to other people takes my attention from the task of safe driving. Always remember that any activity that diverts my attention from safe driving is distracted driving.

Ways to increase your safety in case of a car crash is to always buckle up and drive the speed limit. The seat belt is one of the most reliable ways to save yourself in a collision. With more people taking this safety precaution it could lower fatalities.

Another safety precaution is to drive the speed limit. Slowing down saves lives. According to the Federal International De L’Automobile (FIA), 0 to 50% of people drive above the speed limit. An estimated 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% decrease in number of fatal crashes. Additionally, the faster a car is speeding, the more distance you need to brake safely. It is imperative that teens develop the respect for speed limits.

In January 2018, I personally experienced a car accident that thankfully did not involve any fatalities but did result in me going to the hospital by ambulance. The accident involved my mother who was the driver, my sister who was in the front passenger seat, and me who was in the back seat on the passenger side. My accident was the result of a person who was driving irresponsibly, speeding, and not paying attention to the road. The male driver hit us in the back of our car and the police report confirmed that our vehicle was rear-ended which puts the driver who hit us automatically at-fault. Motor vehicle accidents can have a mental, physical, and emotional effect on you. Immediately following the accident, my sister became very upset and emotional. She was screaming and angry because she thought something had happened to me. When she saw me all she could think of was is my little sister alright. Being involved in that motor vehicle accident put a terrible strain on my mother and all of us. My mother’s car was a total lost, we had to go to a chiropractor three times a week and see a psychiatrist all while going to school and work and trying to lead a normal life. Not to mention the financial strain it put on my mother who is a single parent. After the accident happened, safe driving became something that really mattered to me. When I see my sister or friends sending a quick text or not being completely focused on the road it scares me. I now have a responsibility to speak up and tell them that its very unsafe to take your eyes off the road even for a minute.

Drivers ed has become very important to me. When I drive, I pledge to always make the phone calls and text messages wait until I get to my location safely. In order for drivers to “drive right, save a life,” drivers must stop the careless driving and become more educated. They need to know the impact that their carelessness causes and the risks associated with reckless driving. It is important that teen drivers gain the understanding that although driving is fun and freeing, it is no game and must be taken seriously by them and everyone to ensure a safer driving experience. Remember, “drive right, save a life.”