How Can We Make Roads Safer?

When operating a vehicle, our focal point of attention is typically our destination. In some cases, it may be the notification that just illuminated our phone screen, or the conversation our friends are currently having in the backseat of the car. How often can we actually admit that our focus is on the safety of ourselves or even those around us? Personally, I have been in multiple alarming situations where the focus was definitely not on safety. Friends texting and driving, parents attempting to control disorderly children, I have seen it all. One of my best friends was actually in an accident where he fell asleep behind the wheel and was admitted into the hospital for several weeks. We did not think he was going to make it.

When taking the drivers ed course required to park in the parking lot of a school in my state of South Carolina, I was informed that my school is currently on a ten year streak for having the highest number of casualties caused by car accidents. This information stunned me. I was aware of the passing of several of my classmates due to car wrecks, but I did not realize the capacity of the problem in my area. This is exactly why drivers ed courses are important. They make us aware of what is going on around us, and in turn hopefully make drivers more aware while behind the wheel, which could reduce the number of deaths while driving.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, ensure road safety, and make everyone better and more responsible drivers, it is up to us as drivers to take initiative. Make sure we, along with our friends and family are buckling up, putting those phones away, and simply paying attention and staying aware. By making a change as an individual, we can eliminate the epidemic of distracted driving and diminish the death rates associated with driving.