Driving is a part of most peoples’ everyday lives as an easy way to travel places, but sometimes it becomes less of a focus to prioritize safety. If we want to reduce the number of deaths, we need to be aware of our surroundings and choose to continuously educate ourselves. A good start to this would be taking a drivers education class to learn the basics of the road or even doing proper research before driving on your own. Starting at a younger age could be beneficial to driving success and safety if a parent is in the car with you. Although age does not define your driving ability, it is still crucial to get the proper education and follow the age restrictions on it. Being a good driver unfortunately means to trust no one on the road, especially when driving in new areas. You never know if there could be drunk drivers, people on their phone, or even those who are speeding to get somewhere in time. It is important to never take for granted that others are following the rules of the road in order to stay safe.
For the purpose of reducing the number of deaths related to driving, there are many steps that we can take as a community. I believe that the first step would be to properly educate yourself, as previously stated. In order to do this, it is crucial to read a driver's manual, practice driving constantly, possibly take a drivers education class, and be aware of the rules of the road to follow them every time you get in a car. Another step would be to wear a seatbelt no matter how short the drive is as a passenger or a driver because a car crash can happen anywhere at any time. The next step is to always take precautions such as not drinking or being drunk while driving, finding a place in the car to store your cell phone to avoid distractions, make an effort to stay within the speed limit, and always be self-aware when you are on the road. Accidents do happen; however, if each individual attempts these steps, the road will be a safer place for all and the number of deaths will surely be reduced.
Fortunately, I have never been in a car accident myself, but I have had quite a few instances of seeing my friends and family members driving irresponsibly. First of all, almost every time I get in a car with someone, they check their phones constantly while driving. It is obvious that they are not focused and their driving begins to give me and others in the car an anxious feeling. There are many instances where my friends will use the speed limit as a suggestion rather than a law, and drive as fast as they possibly can. By doing these things, they are not only putting themselves in danger, but also anyone who is in the car or even on the road. Although I have been lucky enough to never physically experience a car accident, a friend of mine passed away from one which has changed my views on safe driving completely. He was thirteen years old at the time, and a week before the accident he had asked me to the school dance. A few days before, he had taken a day trip to Kansas City with his family and decided not to wear his seatbelt. I believe a car rear ended his family and he was severely injured, taken to the hospital, and passed away soon after. The same day that it happened, I found out and refused to go to a school dance with someone until my junior year of high school. The mental effects that deaths from driving can have on people is enormous and can live with people forever, which is why it is so important to take every precaution when you are in a vehicle.
Ever since the day that my friend passed away, I have had a different mindset which has led me to make an effort to wear my seatbelt, and to always drive as safely as possible. There are many steps that I can and currently do take to be a safer driver and to help others with that problem as well. For me personally, I need to focus on placing my phone out of reach while driving and pulling over if something is urgent. I can also make sure that everyone in my car, myself included, is wearing a seatbelt and refuse to drive unless they are wearing one. I would also like to do better with being aware of my surroundings to make sure that I am not pulling out in front of cars, or even turning when I shouldn’t. It is not only important to make sure that I am driving safely, but it is also essential to help my friends and family be safe on the roads as well. I will always remind them about seatbelts, make sure that they are aware that I am uncomfortable when they go over the speed limit (in hopes that they will begin to make it a habit even when I am not there), I will also hold onto their phones so that they be focused on the road the entire time. There are many ways to become a safe driver and to reduce the amount of driving-related deaths. Lastly, always remember to “Drive safe. Drive slow. Life has no spare”. -Unknown