Driver's education has a direct impact in the attempt to reduce the number of car accidents and fatalities. It is pivotal that every driver understands all the traffic laws and signs in order to ensure the safety of themselves and others around them. Many accidents are caused by individuals not knowing or ignoring traffic rules. A prime example of this is making right hand turns. I was talking to a police officer once and he told me that is what he has seen cause the most accidents, people turn into the middle lane and if there is incoming traffic or someone else turning from the opposite side, crashes can occur easily. The law states everyone must merge into the lane closest to them so more people can get where they need to faster, but also safer. Driver’s education also teaches entities how to avoid crashes and respond in rapid situations. It heightens awareness of how unchallenging crashes are and why it is important to be extra cautious. Once everything is learned and practiced appropriately, it creates a safe environment where each driver would build confidence and learn how to handle situations calmly.
Some steps that can be taken to reduce unsafe driving are requiring vehicle inspections more often. Offering a reduction on the price would also help encourage this because it may end up being expensive, however, it is worth it. Many crashes occur because of car maunfuctions as well, or cars reacting late, which could have possibly been caught earlier with an inspection. Also, ensuring roads are painted correctly and stop signs and lights are bright enough can have a big influence on reducing accidents, therefore the injuries and fatalities they cause. I don’t believe stricter law enforcement would necessarily help, opposite to what many people suggest, because many scientific studies prove individuals aren’t actively thinking of possible consequences when driving. They usually have other things on their mind, such as what just happened at their job, or what they will do when they get to their destination, being why speeding and such is so common. Attacking the problem from the root, and making sure each individual is fully aware of the risks would be a better solution, in my opinion. Drivers' tests should have questions such as “What percentage of your reaction time is reduced when you speed ___ miles”, or others that are directly focused on danger and have statistical proof, in order to bring awareness. Anyone under twenty five years old should be able to take a driving education course annually to reduce their car insurance or keep their license active. Licenses are also given for many years, too many sometimes, so requiring anyone over sixty five years old to retest every three to five years would also be profitable.
Many of my family members have gotten into minor accidents, but thankfully nothing too dreadful, with the exception of one. My cousin, who is five years older than me, got into an atrocious accident when she was a teenager. She was going out with her friends when another car crashed into them, right on her side, and the window shattered and cut through her cheek. I remember seeing the huge scar for the first time and feeling extreme sorrow for her. The scar is still quite visible to this day and she has opened up to me about how it affected her mental health and self image, which was hurtful to hear. Although it wasn’t her fault, it shows why it is important to be aware of everyone around you as well. The first thing my dad taught me when driving was to not go right when a light turns green, to take a few seconds to make sure the people on my sides are fully stopped and after witnessing my cousin’s experience I’ve made sure to listen.
Some steps I take to be a safer driver, apart from the one just mentioned, are making sure not to use my phone, using cruise control whenever needed to avoid speeding, sometimes when the flow of traffic is fast it can be tempting to speed so I reduce this temptation by turning it on, and making sure to keep the distance of at least 2 cars in front of me on the freeway. This is important because cars tend to merge or stop quickly so having that space serves as an extra precaution. When I’m in the car with someone driving unsafely, I usually ask them to calm down, take further distance, etc. in order to assure our safety.
Driving safely is extremely important because it does not just impact you, but others involved too. Driver’s education and individual’s responsibility is key to reducing driving-related accidents and fatalities, and creating safer roads for everyone.