There are 43,000 deaths a year in the U.S alone due to fatal car accidents. Car accidents take the lives of many - elderly, non-binary, women, children, men and even animals. However, deciding to advocate for driver safety, wearing a seat belt and completing a driver's education course could push the number of these horrific deaths to zero.
By addressing the dangers of reckless driving within your community you can lessen the number of fatalities caused by driving. You can make posters to display around your community stating the dangers of reckless driving such as texting and distractions. “Posters can increase knowledge, change attitudes and alter behaviors.” The effectiveness of poster presentations is particularly present in the medical community, as they prove to be valuable in waiting rooms and great at conveying information in developing countries.’’ ( Mimeobusiness. 2015) Another, great way to spread avocation is via social media. Post and share the dangers of reckless, uneducated driving and driver safety on as many platforms as possible - doing so will ensure that people all across the world can be educated. ’’Mass media campaigns can play a significant role in changing the negligent behavior of people, especially when the campaign conveys a humanitarian message such as: giving way to ambulances can save lives.’’ ( Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.2017) The average adult spends 2 hours and 23 minutes on social media which makes this form of advocacy extremely effective. In addition, don't be afraid to share what you know about safe driving within your community verbally. If you see a parent or friend reaching for their phone behind the wheel, remind them of the fatal risk they are taking. Remind friends on nights out that an Uber or Lyft is always better than life in prison for vehicular homicide- don't be afraid to tell the brutal truth.’’Telling a driver you will not continue to ride with him if he drives recklessly is a strong stance you can take.’’(Norton & Spencer.2017). By advocating for safe driving you could reduce the amounts of lives lost each year behind the wheel.
Always promoting seat belt use within your vehicle can lessen the amount of deaths caused by careless driving. ‘’In 2022, 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants were killed. About 50% of those killed were not buckled (based on known seat belt use.)’’(National Highway Safety Administration.2022) This means ¼ of all car crash fatalities are due to simply not wearing a seat belt. There is much controversy that states that adults and occupants seated in the back seat do not need a seat belt; however, that simply isn't true.’’In both the front seat and the back seat, seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. Research has shown a 45% reduction in the risk of a fatal injury to front-seat car occupants when lap and shoulder belts are used ‘’ (NHTSA, 2017). Children are usually seated in the backseat and making them buckle up will promote healthy driving habits for them in the future. As well as lessening the impact to the seats in front of them in the event of a crash resulting in little to no injuries.In all states except New Hamprishire not wearing a seatbelt can result in a fine of up to two-hundred dollars per person. All vehicles are designed with safety testing that requires the mannequin to wear a seat belt- so you should buckle up too.Choosing to enforce the use of a seat belt in your vehicle can lessen the amount of possible car crash deaths.
Completing a drivers safety course can astronomically reduce the number of car accident deaths because drivers and non-drivers alike can be educated. According to this study of 150,000 teen drivers over eight years, teens who didn't take driver's ed were 75% more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24% more likely to get in an accident’’ In the course you will learn the dangers of driving under the influence, crash prevention techniques( defensive driving), traffic laws, crash prevention and risks of reckless driving. "Nearly 5 percent of the 51,000 teens who took driver’s education had one or more reported accidents, compared with 1 percent of the 71,932 drivers without formal driver training.’’ (Stephen J. Dubner. 2010) When you get behind the wheel without knowing this vital information you become a danger to yourself and the other drivers around you. The best way to promote safe driving is to educate yourself and others by taking a driver safety course.
Many people lose brothers, sisters, children, friends and parents in car crashes each year. Make a difference by advocating for driver safety, wearing a seat belt and completing a driver's education course to save lives. Be the hero who doesn't wear a cape but a seatbelt..