In The Driver’s Seat -Kalea Green

 

You are on the ground. Your body is numb. Your head is spinning. Your world has turned upside down, and just like that, you’ve become a statistic. According to DMVedu.org, “In America, an average of 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving.” While sometimes things are beyond one's control, many accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, result from unsafe driving practices. Driving under the influence, driving with distractions, driving recklessly, speeding, and texting on your phone are some of the ways your life would change instantly. We can reduce this fatality rate by providing driver education. Informing drivers of driver education could further explain the significance of safe, aware, and focused driving. Driving education plays a critical role in preventing deaths by teaching proper driving habits, promoting cautious driving, and explaining the seriousness of the risks of unsafe driving.  One small decision could have multiple huge consequences.

First and foremost, driver's education not only teaches traffic safety laws, rules, and signs you may encounter while driving, but also encourages drivers to avoid certain behaviors. For example, it warns drivers from texting and driving, speeding, forgetting to buckle up, and driving while under the influence. While these may be things that are common knowledge, and possibly something every driver and non-driver has heard, they are some of the leading ways people die in vehicles every day. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 32 people in the United States die from drunk driving crashes, equivalent to one person every 44 minutes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also says speeding has claimed 11,288 lives, not wearing restraints has claimed almost 11,357 lives, and distracted driving has claimed 3,208 lives. Some of these deaths could have been prevented. Maybe if these drivers knew the dangers of unsafe driving, or if they took a driver's education class, they could fully see how their decisions could lead to their unfortunate end. This possibility of preventing fatal deaths is exactly why driver's education is so important. Not only does it teach, but it also builds. When drivers retain the knowledge they learned in driver education courses, they must not only be ready to drive but also be able to navigate the road confidently, including when signs are missing or when other drivers drive dangerously. Besides just saving lives, driver's education builds safe drivers who exhibit safe driving habits.

However, besides just using driver's education classes, there are other steps and rules we could implement to promote safe driving. It is one thing to write road safety laws, but another to ensure they are complied with. For instance, we have laws that put restrictions and fines on distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, but most of these are ignored, leading to accidents that have the same results. Therefore, one major step towards safe driving will be having stricter rules and fines. If we imposed harsher penalties for these dangerous activities, I feel it would deter drivers from making the mistake. Along with enforcing stricter rules and fines, we need more officers or state troopers out to enforce and keep a lookout for dangerous activities. Another way to promote safe driving is to evolve with the times. We are in 2026, a time of innovations and technology. We could use said new technology to improve road signs. With this improvement, we could communicate with drivers. It could tell them if there were collisions ahead, how long traffic would last, and also give reminders to use safe driving habits, e.g., no texting and driving or not forgetting to buckle up. The steps implemented may not miraculously eliminate the dangers of driving, but they could move us towards lower mortality rates and more conscious driving.

I have been fortunate enough never to have been in a car accident. However, I haven't been fortunate enough not to experience dangerous drivers. When I was in high school, during my senior year, some of my friends got their licenses. Because of that, we were all excited to drive around and go places without our parents. I hopped in the car; we were so excited. My friend got on the road, and everything felt fine. It was smooth sailing, the windows were down, and suddenly my friend got a bright idea to see how fast they could go. We were at a red light, and as soon as it turned green, they went forward. I was in shock. At first, I thought maybe they just pressed the gas too hard, but the car kept getting faster and faster until I eventually screamed, "Stop!" My friend stopped the car, looked at me, and saw the terror on my face. At first, they laughed. They thought it was just a silly prank, but when they saw the rise and fall of my chest and the tears in my eyes, they realized how stupid their action was. I was in shock. We could have run into anything: Another car, a person, or even been pulled over by the police. They not only put their life at stake, but mine as well. The day ended short, and by the time they dropped me off at home, I refused to talk to them. They apologize profusely, play it off as a joke that went too far, and say they were just excited about their new license, but my life is not a joke to me. I learned that when you're young, you make dumb decisions behind the wheel that could cost you your life. I also learned to speak up when something dangerous is happening and to make sure whoever is behind the wheel is practicing safe habits.

All this to say, I am not the perfect driver either. There have been times when I've looked at my phone on the road. The steps I take to be a better and safer driver include putting away all distractions. My phone goes in the center of my car. It is also set to driving mode, which limits my phone access while driving. I set my location so friends and family can see me make it from one place to the next. These steps I take help not only me become a better driver, but also others driving around me. Every decision matters, and with driver's education, you can fully understand how driving can be dangerous and how to avoid becoming a statistic. Next time you see your friend or family member driving recklessly, speak up. Tell him to put their phone away, tell them to buckle up, tell them they're too intoxicated to drive. If you don't speak up, reckless driving could claim another life.