The Importance of Driver Safety

Most people know that driving is dangerous. Why then are there still so many people not practicing safe driving? Is there something that does not quite click in his/her head about how serious the problem is? I believe it is because there is not enough driver safety education happening in the process of actually getting a license. If I remember correctly, the test to get your license does have questions regarding rules and regulations, but there is little to no information given about actual driver safety. I believe that this is unfortunate because driver safety education is so important and should be crucial to those beginning to drive. In fact, according to a study done by the University of Nebraska, teens that do not take drivers education classes are 75% more likely to get a ticket, 24% more likely to be injured or killed in an accident, and 16% more likely to have an accident. Steps that could be taken to reduce the number of crashes that result in a fatality are mandatory drivers ed classes before you take the test, increased awareness of the consequences of unsafe driving, and more incentives given out to those with safe driving records. Though I have never been in a car accident, I have come close due to a car passing a yield sign out of turn. My life flashed before my eyes at that moment and I pulled over to regain my calmness. I thought about what would happen if I had actually been hit and if the accident would have injured me. I thought about how hard I would have to work to get another car because I am under the age of 18. Since then, I have been a lot more careful when driving and making sure that I am aware of my surroundings. I assume that if everyone became more aware of their own driving and the driving of the people around them, then there would be a significant reduction in fatal car accidents.