The importance of driving can help get from one place to another, but it can also be dangerous, as everyone has to follow caution rules to not hurt other people. Driving education can teach a beginner how to drive and why it is an important skill that includes understanding road signs and traffic laws, but also includes defensive driving skills. This skill learned can teach others how to be quick with their minds and stay calm whenever they are under pressure, but also do it correctly in an emergency.
During the education of driving, every driver should know traffic laws and signs so that they can have an understanding of these laws, as it can help drivers make informed, quick decisions, reducing the likelihood of car accidents. With these laws comes defensive driving skills, encouraging drivers to expect potential hazards and react correctly. This bold approach can significantly lower the risk of collisions. This can raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. By learning these risks, drivers are more likely to follow safer driving habits. Not only should every driver be aware of these laws, but also have experience in behind-the-wheel, allowing beginners to practice their skills in real-world situations under the guidance of an experienced driver/instructor. This hands-on experience will build confidence and knowledge. The new drivers can build a sense of responsibility and follow the importance of safe driving, not just for themselves but for everyone on the road. Now educated drivers, they are likely to continue this safe driving behavior throughout their lives.
Although there are steps we can take to reduce the number of deaths that are caused by driving. First, we should have the elderly people turn in their license when they reach a certain age because most of them lose their vision and drive slower than the speed limit. In the news cast, “Inside Edition,” they researched that most car accidents are caused by elderly people, saying, “There have been a series of car accidents caused by vehicles being driven by senior citizens, and some of them have been fatal.” This should be talked about more, that elder people don’t have the physical strength to drive because driving requires a lot of physical action, like turning your head for blind spots or having your feet on the gas pedal and hands on the steering wheel, which can be difficult for older people to do. Which is why we should require them to take driver's classes to have a “refresher” in driving, because it can help older people to be more cautious in driving. As stated in the news cast, “Inside Edition” they went in the driving program to see the elderly people taking these classes to refresh their minds in driving because traffic laws can or possibly change, “with elderly accidents on the rise, more people in their golden years are signing up for AA classes like the one in New York that provides a ‘refresher course’ in driving older drivers.” with these steps in communities we can work towards reducing the risks in fatal accidents to older people driving.
Additionally, America is the country that is reported to have the most car accidents, with 34,000 per year. To the point, these death rates are getting compared to wars, with the most deaths being the American Civil War (1861-1865), with 655,000 deaths, 449 deaths per day. This is highly alarming about these deaths in the U.S., as it even exceeds the casualties in certain military conflicts. By comparing car accident deaths to military deaths, we should aim to raise awareness about the seriousness of road safety issues. It can demonstrate that traffic fatalities are a significant public health crisis that deserves attention similar to that given to military conflicts. To take steps to improve road safety and reduce the deaths in car accidents, we should raise the age limit on young teens to 18 years old, because at the age of 16, they are still kids learning about the different parts of the world. If we raise the age to 18, we can see fewer car accidents, and 18-year-olds are a bit more mature in making driving decisions on the road. The reason this age limit should be talked more is because across the globe like Europe and Asia, the age of getting a license is 18 and they also send these 18-year-olds to driving school because it helps the new drivers to enhance and have a strong foundation in making better decisions on the road safety, traffic laws, and vehicle operations. With these steps, we can make a big change in reducing the fatal car accidents among teenagers, but with 18-year-olds being cautious and having the maturity in driving, we can spread this change and have a lower rate of deaths.
In my personal experience of being in car accidents with relatives is not from irresponsibility, but the animals that cross the roads, mainly in the fall and winter season. We cannot do much to change the animals crossing the roads and avoid the car accidents. However, we can take better steps to ensure safer roads by promoting distraction-free driving, being more cautious in driving, and how to address aggressive driving. This can encourage drivers to be more cautious in driving on the roads, and we can reduce the deaths on the roads.