Eyes On The Road

Check mirrors. Check surroundings. Keep your eyes on the road. Each year, many people pass away due to car accidents because someone is not following the rules, is distracted, or doesn’t react fast enough. It is important that we all pay attention to road rules and prioritize our safety first. 

According to the World Health Organization, “around 1.16 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes” (who.int). There are many incidents that can lead to this result. Based on this same website, speeding and alcohol are the main reasons that cause fatal car accidents. Speeding above the limit is related to a crash occurring and the severe consequences. Similarly, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can mess with your head and will increase the chance of crashing. Just in America itself, “an average of 34,000 die each year as a result of driving.

When first learning how to drive, I went and did the driver’s education course to get my permit. I had to take this since I was underage. In this course, they highlighted the importance of following road rules, which include how to drive properly, always checking mirrors, following the signs, never consuming any substances like alcohol or drugs, not being distracted, and that taking medicine that will impair your driving is not allowed. Following these rules will decrease the chances of getting into a fatal car accident and injuring multiple people. 

Less distraction means lowering the music. This is important so we can hear any emergency sirens or if cars are honking because of an emergency. Adding to this, phones can be a heavy distraction because people are taking their eyes off of the road. This also leads to road rage when people aren’t being patient. Taking your eyes off of the road is already such a big risk because, doing that, you are not aware of surroundings or what is going on around you.

Following road rules is the key factor in reducing the chance of crashing. These road rules like remembering to use your blinkers when turning or switching lanes, staying inside the lines, looking at the blind spots, will all be helpful when driving because you are not doing anything wrong and will not be blamed if anything goes wrong. It would also lessen the chances of creating car accidents. 

From my experience, I have been in minor car accidents that never led to anything big. Cars have just rear-ended my family’s car. The person who crashed into us was a lady, and her excuse was, “I was distracted because I spilled something. It’s barely a dent; you can’t even see anything.” There was, in fact, more than just a dent. This connects back to keeping our eyes on the road and avoiding distractions because things like this can happen. Some family members drive irresponsibly sometimes, and I think that being late or getting road rage can influence someone to speed up and can eventually lead to a crash. 

I believe that others should take driving more seriously because it is more than just using a vehicle to go places. It is also about following the rules and making sure that everyone is safe. Being a safe driver means that you care about yourself and the other people around you. No one wants someone who is reckless on the road because not only does it cause accidents, but it also leads to many consequences like jail time or paying a big fine, which not everyone can afford. 

I think a major issue that causes many crashes is being distracted, and that is mostly caused by a device. I notice that many people go on their phones even if they are not supposed to. Some people hold their phones in one hand and use the other hand to drive, or they go on their phone while there is a red light. I think not having a phone, or at least not using it while driving, reduces the chance of an accident or anyone getting upset because you are distracted.

Throughout the years, people forget the importance of safety when driving because they have grown so used to the road. However, it is still very important to remember the rules of the road, especially because there are also new people who aren't so familiar. Some of these people should also know the road very well because they are more likely to crash since they barely have experience. We should all remember to prioritize our safety first and others ' safety before deciding to act.