The Dangers of Driving: Alterations That Must Be Made To Ensure Driver Safely

             Driver education is so important for young drivers because they get an opportunity to learn about driving and the rules of the road before they actually can ride on the road. 20% - 30% of new drivers are involved in a car crash in the first year of having their license. This number could be reduced if drivers were made more familiar with cars and the rules of the road. I took a driver's education class in my sophomore year before I got my permit, and it helped me greatly understand the road systems. There are many students who don’t pay attention to their parents as they drive when they are younger. So, they are almost completely unaware of the complexities of the road. Driver's education classes are pivotal to ensuring the safety of young drivers, their passengers, and other drivers. 

            People must take action to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, as it is a huge factor in the number of deaths each year. The first step that can be taken is improving driver education on the roads. Oftentimes, young drivers get into accidents since they don’t understand certain rules, so they, unintentionally, break them. By making people more aware of the systems of the road, they will feel much more comfortable and confident on the roads. Another step that must be taken is eliminating distractions for drivers. Better laws relating to phone usage on the road must be put in place. In turn, better enforcement of these rules must be established. Phones are a huge problem on the roads, as they completely take the driver’s eyes off the road. With a reduction in phone usage on the road, drivers will be much more alert and able to drive more safely. One more step that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to vehicles is a reduction in highway speeds. More accidents occur on local and main roads. However, highway accidents are much more deadly due to the high speeds at which people are travelling. So, lowering the speed limits on highways will allow drivers to have more reaction time. All of these steps implemented simultaneously will help to better ensure the safety of people on the roads. 

             Recently, my friend and I were almost in a car accident. I was driving on a main road and was heading straight, meaning I had the right of way. There was a Wawa along the road, and a U-Haul truck was waiting to turn left to get gas. As I reached the U-Haul, the driver turned directly into the hood of my car, and I had to swerve to the right and speed up to get out of the way. My car was not scratched, but it was very close. I don’t know what the other driver was thinking, but I was almost in a car accident because of the driver’s recklessness. After that, I was very scared to drive home. My friend and I were very shaken up. I think it was at that moment that I fully understood the true dangers of driving. Before that, I had thought of driving almost as a game to see how good I could get. But driving is most definitely not a game. Driving a car is a huge responsibility, and people have to learn how to responsibly deal with the power they are given. 

            To be a better and safer driver, you must, first off, understand the dangers of driving. Driving is not a joke and must be taken seriously. Anyone who does not understand this is unfit to get in the driver's seat. Next, drivers should take a driver's education course before receiving their permit. I know I have said this multiple times, but young drivers need to know the rules of the road before they get behind the wheel, so they can make good, responsible decisions. I believe that, every eight years, all drivers should be required (by law) to complete a short online course to refresh their knowledge of the roads. It could be a Zoom call with trained professionals from the Department of Transportation. This ensures that people will not cheat and can ask questions if they are confused. Another step that I believe should be taken to ensure the safety of drivers is the installation of lampposts at stop signs on back roads. From personal experience, I have had to stop abruptly on multiple occasions since I could not see a stop sign at night. By adding more lampposts near the road, drivers may also see deer more clearly in the dark. 

Driving is no joke, and I feel that many advancements must be made to improve people’s safety. Driving is not hard in theory. The main difficulty for drivers is the inability to stay focused. This is a personal issue that all drivers must fix for themselves. At the end of the day, driver safety comes down to every person on the road. No matter how much the government tries to help, it comes down to the people in control of the car to determine the safety of others. People must truly care about making a positive impact on the roads. Improvements to this issue must be faced by the individuals of society first. That is how true change will occur.