According to studies 35,068 car accidents happen per day just in the United States. You never know when one can happen to you. I know this because this had happened to me.
October 22, 2024 I had gotten into a car accident. I was in an unprotected left turn lane but the other car was across from me also in the unprotected left turn lane with their left turn signal on. When we both started going, they quickly decided to switch lanes and go straight instead of turning left and T-boned my car in the process. Since there were no witnesses, they told the insurance and police that they were originally in the forward lane, that I did not obey the rules of the unprotected turn lane. Since there was no actual evidence that both of our stories were true, the insurance did not act on anything because it was his word against mine. If there were cameras at the intersection, I, as well as my beautiful Red Volkswagen Beetle (which had been totaled) would have had justice and not have had a ticket for not obeying the rules of traffic.
I was lucky to walk away from this incident with a few bruises and cuts. I will get past this experience. Although, truth be told, I still get shaken up thinking about it. However, when I was just ten years old, a friend of mine lost his father in a fatal car crash. Craig’s father was stopped at a red light when a drunk driver, driving without her license, hit his car directly into oncoming traffic. He died instantly. Craig and his sisters were not the same. Seeing Craig’s family and my community so taken down by this one tragic moment, made me realize more needs to be done to keep all of us safe.
The safety of our roads is a matter of paramount importance, and there are numerous factors that contribute to accidents. However, a crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is the continual education of drivers. While brand new drivers undergo rigorous training and testing, experienced drivers rarely revisit the rules of the road after passing their initial driving test. Over time, bad habits can form, and crucial updates to traffic laws may go unnoticed, leading to preventable accidents. In promoting safer driving practices, it is essential to implement mandatory drivers' tests every 10 years, regardless of age or social status. There are numerous professions and certifications that necessitate continuing education and periodic assessments to ensure proficiency and up-to-date knowledge. Driving, a skill that directly impacts public safety, should be no exception.
Currently, the only requirement that gets routinely checked is a driver's vision, which is insufficient in addressing the complexities and evolving nature of road safety. Periodic re-testing would not only reinforce proper driving habits but also ensure that drivers are aware of any updates to traffic laws and regulations. This approach would significantly reduce the occurrence of preventable accidents and promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability among drivers.
Another step that can be taken to reduce the number of accidents and car accident related deaths is to have cameras at every intersection. Cameras would ensure that drivers follow the rules that they promised to obey. Having cameras at every intersection could help law enforcement see patterns of traffic abuse and fraud in certain areas which they could not get to before. If an insane amount of accidents keep happening at specific intersections, authorities can investigate further, uncovering potential fraud rings or other issues involving traffic. Cameras at every intersection can lead to a quicker appearance of law enforcement.
Cameras at every intersection can help lower the chances of people speeding by discouraging them to go beyond the speed limit. One of the main reasons this would be super effective is that the presence of cameras increases the chances of someone being caught when they are going over the speed limit. When drivers know they are being monitored, they are more likely to obey traffic laws. This can create more awareness and encourage people to follow speed limits, because they now would have a higher chance of getting a speeding ticket knowing they are being monitored. The fear of getting fined would also discourage people from going faster than the speed limit. This could make the road a way more safe environment, where people have to drive more responsibly by knowing they are always under surveillance. Cameras at every intersection can make the roads more consistently safe rather than always relying on only police officers. The police are not always present at every intersection, but the cameras can be. Making the rules of the road more safe and secure would have people checking their speed to make sure they are not going too fast. By putting cameras at every intersection, speeding violations would be more consistently and clearly caught, leading to not as much reckless driving on our everyday streets.
Personally, I am often given a hard time about how safe of a driver I am. I refuse to pay attention to my phone when I am driving. When I am a passenger, I will be the annoying friend that doesn’t let the driver look at their phone either. I make sure that everyone is wearing their seatbelt. I will let my brother know when he is tailgating. I know that I won’t make a difference globally right away. People don’t usually tend to listen to an eighteen-year-old, but I know that I do make a difference to the people around me. Any positive difference is worth it. By advocating for mandatory drivers' tests every 10 years, and adding cameras at every intersection, I hope to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness in my community. It is through these small yet impactful actions that we can pave the way for bigger change and inspire others to prioritize road safety.