The importance of driver’s education is not just knowing the rules of the road, but also being aware of who is on the road with you. It’s not as simple as knowing to stop at a red light or driving in the speed limit. Most accidents happen due to drivers who are either intoxicated, or driving too fast. According to cdc.gov, around 120 people are killed in a car accident every day in the United States. Depending on the city, driving can make life more convenient. In other ways, driving can make life difficult and expensive. Once the population is made aware and thoroughly briefed on the importance of safe driving, thousands of lives will be preserved automobile fatalities. In this essay, I want to share some innovative methods we can take as a community to reduce the number of fatalities related to operating an automobile. I also want to illustrate the experiences of car crashes to persuade the reader. Lastly, I would like share some steps to become a safer driver as well as influencing the become to join this initiative.
What can be done to reduce fatalities on the road is making drivers do a quick knowledge check or review during their renewal process. Along with completing this knowledge check, let’s have an incentive for those who complete said requirement. These knowledge checks could take the form of an acknowledgement on any updates to automobile mandates by their state, reviewing any important laws that can be deemed important, and etc. Many jobs make their employees due a monthly or quarterly knowledge driving test or review so that they are up to date and knowledgeable on standard operating procedures. There can be a short video or one-page pdf file on what to be aware of on the road, along with changes and updates on the rules of the road. It is said that “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” However, it is only ethical and helpful to lead the people to being informed. The incentives can range from a variety of things including cash prizes and discounts. The more knowledge checks and acknowledgements completed, the bigger the incentives. The public is not easily motivated to complete these extra steps, but incentives will help procure better results.
I myself have been in a car accident while I was high school. An adult driver rear-ended me while exiting the highway. The offender admitted he was not paying attention and was on his phone. Fortunately, we both had insurance and was able to resolve the issue. However, that situation could have been worse. One of us could have been badly injured or killed, and it would have been very expensive if we had no insurance. This is an example of how a good day can turn bad in a matter of seconds due to irresponsible driving. A friend of mine was killed by a drunk driver on the highway. This friend was home from serving a military deployment. He fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed the car. As he was exiting the vehicle, a drunk driver hit him – which eventually killed him. Today, his wife is a widow and his son without a father.
What I can do for my fellow drivers on the road is not just spread awareness, but to be the best example I can be. I need to practice what I preach. I can say what not to do on the road very loud and often. However, how can I expect people to respect my words if I’m making the same common mistakes as the people who put other drivers in danger. Being consistent with the little things such as wearing the seat belt and putting away the cell phone can make a big difference. Obeying these simple principles of safe driving can lower the percentage of being injured or killed while being behind the wheel. If I knew who to sit down and connect with, we can brainstorm the incentives available to make this rewards program more of a reality. I would take to social media and spread awareness with statistics and comic drama. The best material produced, I can make sure gets shared to as many people that is possible to reach. It appears that the powers that be are moved once the population is united in thought on a particular subject. Once the incentivized awareness training for license renewal gains enough traction, I will partner with brilliant minds to brainstorm efficient ways to implement this program. I hope this essay was persuasive enough to spark new ideas in enforcing safe driving. If we are community-minded and act together, we can initiate a new age in safe driving.