Drivers are not the only ones to blame

Xavier Reese

Driver Education Initiative Award – Scholarship Opportunity : Link

First Scholarship essay questions:

What is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving?

What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?

There are many reasons to why drivers ed is important to reduce the number of deaths caused by bad drivers. To begin with, without educating drivers about how to drive, state and federal laws, as well as proper driving etiquette the roads would be quite dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike. There would also be more accidents on roads causing traffic backups as well as road rage situations that continue to be completely unpredictable. Drivers ed helps prevent that by educating new along with older drivers before they are given a permit or license. The better people are knowledgeable of how to properly drive the less deaths occur. In Meridian Idaho, a bill was just passed making it a fineable offense to be texting, calling, or using an electronic device while driving on a road. This is similar to what other cities have done in the past and is a step towards the right direction because it can now be taken seriously than previously because drivers ed. Instructors can now explain that you can be fined. A few steps that I can and do take in order to be a better safer driver is to put my phone in a small compartment so that I am not distracted by it as well as never answer phone calls or text while driving. I also do my best to be careful when driving through neighborhoods. These are some of the steps I take in order to be a better driver; however many deaths are not only caused by the driver some are caused by pedestrians j-walking or not abiding the law. Some people who ride bikes to go to work often do not have lights on their bikes which can make them very difficult to see early in the morning when it is still dark outside. Even though the law makes those driving vehicles at fault, there should be some more requirements for pedestrians and those who use different nonmotorized transportation in order to prevent vehicular deaths.Ultimately, most drivers as well as those around roadways should use common sense when driving but that is something that cannot be taught only experienced.

Driver Education Initiative Award – Scholarship Opportunity: Questions part two

What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?

Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?

Much like what was said in the previous essay, there are many different steps that could be taken to reduce driving related deaths. One step that could be effective is to have harsher fines or punishments for bad drivers. For example, the current fine for speeding in Idaho is between $150 -$200 which is a hefty fine but I think it should be around the $200 - $300 range so that people would not want to speed. Many insurance companies help pay off fines but don’t help much usually about $25-$50 is what they pay depending on the fine. To break away from fines and what could be done to help reduce driving deaths, I have personally been in an accident about two years ago. It was a very foggy, rainy early morning and I was driving through the neighborhood I always take to get to school. This morning I was already running late due to me sleeping in a few more minutes. There was a flash of light to my right of which I slowed down to see if it was a bicyclist or a reflection of my headlights. When I turned back to see where I was going I ran into a Dodge Ram truck totalling my car and breaking only the front left turn light cover as well as a minute dent in the bumper of the truck. The collision was not at a high speed only about 10-15 miles per hour. I ended up going to school later that day a little bit shaken however it was not about what happened to the individuals that were in the accident, they were actually quite nice and cared more about my safety than the vehicles. The police officer that first arrived was not very respectful like I had done something to him but that is not the point of why this accident is something I will forever remember. It is that the couple whose truck I ran into were surprised that I cared more about getting to school than a car.