Education is crucial in preventing accidents and reducing the number of traffic related deaths. Given that people operate powerful vehicles, it takes only one distraction or a minor mistake to cause a fatal accident.
The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths in driving start with educating drivers about the safety of driving. This includes avoiding distracted driving such as texting while driving, turning the head away from the road to speak with others, checking on children in the vehicle, and changing music. Another critical step is educating drivers about handling different weather conditions. It is important to check tires to ensure there is no balding, which can cause sliding in the rain, and to make sure their car is equipped for driving in the snow. Following the speed limit and wearing a seatbelt are fundamental safety measures. Additionally, not driving while intoxicated or under the influence of any drug is an essential factor in preventing accidents. There should be more videos available about the dangers of driving while intoxicated and more educational content informing drivers about these risks. This will help drivers stay safe on the road and reduce the number of fatalities.
When I was 16, I was involved in a rollover car accident. My friend, who had just bought a car and didn't have her license yet, was driving. We were following her boyfriend and his friends, who were driving sports cars at high speeds. Despite my request to slow down, the car flipped and rolled down a hill, finally stopping by a big tree. I vividly remember the terrifying experience of the car spinning and the sudden jolt when it stopped. We ended up upside down, and a passerby cut us out of the car with his knife. The passerby was hysterical and almost having a panic attack because he thought that his brother, who he was walking with, was hit by the car when it flew in the air and down the hill. The back of the car was smashed in, and my sister, who was supposed to be with us that day, could have been killed if she had come along. Also, the passerby’s brother could have been injured or killed if they had been walking just a few more feet ahead of where they were at the time. Wearing seatbelts saved our lives. For years after the accident, I was terrified of driving and only trusted myself or my parents to drive me. Sometimes I reflect on the incident and think that if she wasn’t driving so fast, had taken her time turning the corner, and had her license, things would have been different, and we wouldn’t have gotten into the accident. It took time to overcome my fear of being a passenger in a vehicle, but the experience has made me a more cautious driver.
The steps I have taken to ensure safe driving include buying a camera to be able to see my daughter in her car seat. I found myself turning around a lot to check on her and even trying to grab her bottle when she would drop it. I realized that it isn't safe to do that, so I bought a strap that attaches to her bottle and her car seat so that if she drops her bottle, it doesn’t fall, and she can easily grab it. I am able to quickly glance at the monitor in front of me to see how she is instead of turning my body and head away from the road to check on her. I also made it a point not to check my phone to text or even switch music while driving. What I do is go on YouTube before I start driving and pick a playlist of the genre I would like to listen to. The playlist I pick is a couple of hours long so that I don’t need to switch songs. I also make sure to text or call anyone back before driving. I know that I need to be a safe driver not only because I want to keep my daughter safe but also because I want to keep others safe as well.
I share my safe driving practices with others to help them become more cautious drivers. By spreading awareness of these steps, we can collectively contribute to reducing traffic related deaths. Driver education, personal experiences, and practical steps can all contribute to making our roads safer for everyone. Through continuous education and sharing of best practices, we can make a significant impact on road safety and reduce the number of fatalities related to driving.