Driver education is super important when it comes to reducing the number of deaths caused by driving. When people take driver’s ed, they learn all the basic skills needed to drive safely, like how to handle different road conditions, how to be aware of other drivers, and the rules of the road. This kind of education can make a huge difference because it helps new drivers develop good habits early on, which means they’re less likely to make dangerous decisions like speeding or texting while driving. There are a few really important steps we can take to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. First, I think more strict driver education should be a thing. The more we know about how to drive safely, the better. This could include teaching people about defensive driving, the dangers of distracted driving, and making sure new drivers understand how important it is to stay calm and focused on the road. Another thing that could help a lot is better enforcement of traffic laws. If people know there’s a good chance they’ll get caught for things like speeding, running red lights, running stop signs, or not wearing a seatbelt, they might think twice before breaking the rules.When I was turning 15 and getting my learner’s license, I was hanging out with one of my friends. She was 13 at the time, and she had a little brother who was friends with a kid named Koltan. They were around 9 or 10. They were all meeting up at the local store and it's a three way stop, so the 5 kid all on there bikes crossed the street, except koltan was a little behind them his friend told him it was safe to cross, he was then hit and then ran over by a hit who was 17, who was drunk and high. I watched him get hit and run over right in front of my eyes. He fought many days in the hospital but eventually died due to his injuries. The kid driving had nothing against him. He was let off, and no charges were put against him. Maybe even more checkpoints for things like drunk driving could make a big difference. I’ve had many friends die from street racing, and no one is doing anything around here. One of my friends, not even 2 months ago, was going 140 and hit a pole and split his car into 2, catching on fire and ejecting all 4 people from the car. All because he wanted to take a video for his Snapchat.All 4 of them, thankfully, only had severe injuries, and all of them survived. Another one of my friends, a week ago, was driving home from work, and he got t-boned, and it flipped his truck and ejected him. The lady who hit him was drunk, and it was her 3rd DUI. I think the law should be stricter because the first DUI shouldn’t even happen, let alone her third. To be a better and safer driver, I think the first step is just staying focused when you're behind the wheel. That means no texting or checking your phone, no matter how tempting it is. I always try to put my phone on Do Not Disturb when I'm driving, so I’m not even tempted to look at it. It’s also important to keep my speed in check and follow the road signs—like, even if I’m running late, speeding isn't worth the risk! I’ve seen too many of my friends lose their lives due to how fast they were going and not being able to stop in time. Another thing I do is make sure I’m always wearing my seatbelt and make sure everyone else in the car does, too. It sounds basic, but it’s honestly one of the easiest ways to stay safe, and it can save your life in an accident. Of the 4 guys who got into the crash, not a single one of them was wearing a seatbelt. I also always make sure I adjust my mirrors, check my blind spots, and keep an eye on what's happening around me, especially when I’m changing lanes or merging onto highways. The 4 guys ran a red light and clipped a driver turning onto the highway. It wasn’t the driver’s fault that they ran a red light, but if he had been more aware of his surroundings, he wouldn’t have been hit, and the guys wouldn’t have been severely injured. To help others become safer on the road, I think I can set a good example. For example, if my friends are in the car, I’ll remind them to put their phones away and wear their seatbelts. I’ve also told my friends before not to let anyone drive if they’ve been drinking because no one should be on the road drunk—it’s just way too dangerous. Sometimes, I’ll even share safety tips on my social media or with my family. Things like how to avoid distractions, the importance of not driving while tired, and how dangerous it is to speed. I also think schools should be required to take students all the way home after a certain time. One of my closest friends had a wrestling tournament 3 hours away, so by the time they got back to the school, it was 1 in the morning, and he still had to drop off his teammate and then drive home. So, as he was driving home, which was about 2:30 to 3:00 o'clock, he started falling asleep at the wheel from being so physically exhausted. He was going 40 on the highway and fell asleep at the wheel which caused him to drive off the road into a tree, thankfully he was alright with a minor concussion, but his phone was dead from being at the meet all day he couldn't call anyone, so he has to walk the 3 miles home. As soon as he got home, he called the police. I think spreading awareness is important because it gets people thinking about their habits, and maybe they’ll start making better choices, too. Lastly, I’ve also been learning about things like defensive driving, so I’m always prepared for unexpected situations. It helps me stay calm and react quickly if something goes wrong. It’s kind of like being proactive about avoiding accidents. Being a safer driver is about being responsible, aware, and considerate of others, and encouraging the people around me to do the same! I am very grateful to have not been in any of these situations where I was in the car, but I have known way too many people who have taken their last picture or last video in a speeding car.