As new drivers start, being aware of the consequences of needing to be properly educated is important. Whether you have been driving for decades or weeks, there are always dangers to be mindful of. Society continues to develop, along with new trends of jumping out of vehicles, driving dangerously with friends, and road rage. Driving is not something to be taken lightly and requires enormous responsibility and awareness.
The importance of taking driver’s education greatly reduces the number of deaths caused by driving. When drivers have education about the law and ways of the road, driving may seem simple but there are many things that an individual would not think of without the help of a driver’s education, such as who has the right away, and much more. In the article The Seattle Times, it states, “The Washington Traffic Safety Commission estimates those who had not completed a course had a 70% higher rate of injury or death.” Ultimately showing how it is very important for drivers to be educated because it could make the roads safer and cuts the percentage of people involved or affected by accidents.
There are many things that individuals can do to reduce the amount of deaths related to driving. Some possible solutions are wearing your seatbelt, making sure there are no distractions around you such as your phone, following the law, and practicing safe driving. In an article, ideas of how to stay safe on the road are stated as “Defensive driving involves being aware of your surroundings and anticipating potential hazards on the road. This can include maintaining a safe following distance, checking mirrors frequently, and scanning the road ahead for sudden stops or unexpected obstacles. Courses in defensive driving can also provide additional techniques for responding effectively to other drivers’ actions.” which gives society information on why it's important to not let emotions, fatigue, stress, and mental illness be a part of your circumstances when driving, by doing this it can lead to the death of others or even yourself.
I have witnessed my family members decide to drive under the influence which resulted in car accidents, self-inflicted injury, and legal trouble. After being able to witness incidents like this, it has motivated me to drive under the influence, luckily no one else was hurt during those accidents but society needs to realize that when you make irresponsible decisions like this you are not only putting yourself at risk but others around you as well. I have not begun to drive yet but have been in a car with others during an accident, anyone who has experienced this knows that it is very scary, it goes by very fast and you can easily become overwhelmed with different types of emotions.
When I become a driver I have planned to always practice safe driving. It is very important for me that I maintain my safety and the safety of others. I am very fortunate to have a father in law enforcement who has taught me about obeying the law and anticipating what other drivers may do. Driving isn’t just about making sure that you are driving correctly but it’s also about being aware of your surroundings, no matter how well you drive that doesn't guarantee that you are 100% safe, others may drive recklessly which can affect you. I can help others become safer drivers by encouraging them to make sure they are sober when they drive, offering an Uber or Lyft instead of driving if I can see that it isn’t a good idea, and correcting others nicely if I can tell they are purposely not following a rule that could risk our safety or the safety of others.
In closing, driving isn’t something that should be taken lightly, when you are driving you are responsible for your life, the people in the car with you, and those around you. It is much better to be safe than sorry and not risk getting a DUI, arrested, or badly injuring yourself and others, it is best to be around people who have good judgment when you aren’t making a good decision. It is also key to be a good influence to those around you, even if it is uncomfortable or uncool, you never know when you could save someone from the worst mistake of their life. Doing the process of getting your driver's license correctly and thoroughly is crucial to a safe driving career.