Driver’s education is important for reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving because it teaches new drivers skills needed to be a safe drivers for themselves and others on the road while using good judgment. Texting, speeding, and drinking or being on drugs is a hazard while being behind the wheel. Driver’s education can stress the importance of avoiding such behavior. Another benefit of driver’s education is learning to be cautious of others drivers, resulting in less accidents. Not all accidents are caused by new drivers. Driver’s education also teaches the laws of the road, resulting in taking responsibility for yourself and others. To enhance safe driving, parents can monitor their teenagers while they are driving after receiving their learner’s permit. Teenagers can help themselves by practicing driving safely after receiving their driver’s license.
The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving by attending the classes offered under driver’s education as well as practicing driving safely by obeying the laws. Some laws are the abiding by speed limits and wearing a seatbelt. It is very important to avoid all distractions such as finding your favorite song, texting, not being in a hurry, and never being part of road rage. It is also important for all drivers to be aware of their surroundings, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you so you have time to avoid a collision. Drunk driving has always been a problem. Nobody should be under the influence of alcohol or substance abuse. You never know when checkpoints by police officers will occur. The laws also protect as licenses can be suspended if one if found under the influence. This helps to reduce drunk driving.
I have never been in a car accident nor have I seen my family members or friends driving irresponsibly. What I have seen are others drivers driving very slow as if they are lost, drivers not using their signals, going through red lights, and not stopping properly at a stop sign. Instead they ignore it as if it not there or roll through the stop sign. One of my friends and his family was driving to Florida for vacation and were all hospitalized. A tractor trailer driver did not follow the construction warning signs and never slowed down when the traffic in front slowed down. This made the national news. Sadly, my friend’s father now has a lifetime illness called Traumatic Brain Disorder which has taken a great impact on his life. He had to take a demotion as his brain could not function at the job he had in the past. My friend and his mother still have scars from the accident and tiny pieces of glass inside their body. They are lucky to be alive. All because one person was negligent and took it upon himself to not follow the laws, he injured a family and sadly took two other lives. As explained, this is proof on how accidents can be fatal, even leading to death.
The steps that can be taken so I can become a safer driver and help others become safer on the road are simple. Be alert at all times, follow speed limits, use your mirrors, keep both hands on the wheel, and ensure maintenance is kept up-to-date on your vehicle. Simply remember to be defensively and not offensively. A defensive driver helps to reduce collisions and is always cautious. An offensive driver is very aggressive, impatient, and anxious which can lead to many accidents. It is also important to know your route destination and leave early to avoid rushing. Many vehicles come equipped with a GPS system on the dashboard. There are also many apps on cell phones such as Waze, and Google Maps. By staying calm and obeying all traffic laws, anyone can become a safe driver. Never assume that the person in front of you will be turning even if they have their signal on. Once they turn, you can then assume. That signal could have been on from two streets downward. When a light turns green, do not automatically go. Look to ensure all other cars are stopping, especially in a four-way intersection.
Sadly, there are over 300 deaths in Connecticut a year due to driving accidents. A life can be over in seconds. By focusing while looking ahead instead of the car in front of you, sharing the road with others, including motorcycles and bicyclists, obeying all traffic laws and wearing a seatbelt, anyone can become a safe driver for themselves and others on the road. There is a true saying that says, “Stay in your lane”.