The safety of drivers is an important issue facing our modern society, affecting the lives of individuals and communities. The number of vehicles on the road leads to a shocking amount of unnecessary collisions and deaths caused by reckless and irresponsible driving behaviors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates tens of thousands of people die yearly because of motor vehicle accidents, which warrants the need for driver education and safety measures. Therefore, this essay will outline the importance of driver education, outline steps to reduce fatalities, provide a personal experience of a tragic collision, and provide examples for being a safer driver and encouraging others to do the same.

Driver education is the most important step to decreasing the number of deaths related to driving. Driver education programs educate and train new drivers with the skills needed to deal with complexities facing them while operating their automobiles. Driver education programs include necessary topics of education such as traffic laws, safe driving practices, and the outcome of violating safe travel guidelines set by society. If driver education can properly teach about this, it can greatly reduce the chances of a collision. Moreover, driver education should not be solely focused on new drivers, but experienced drivers can also benefit from it.

Ongoing driver education can ensure that drivers know the current traffic laws, the advancements that are happening with personal vehicles, and evolving safe driving practices. Ongoing education can also strengthen safe driving practices and assist in increasing the awareness of a driver if a hazard is facing the road they may not have been aware of. To further reduce the number of deaths related to driving, several measures can be taken on an individual and social level. On an individual level, safe driving practices can be incorporated by all drivers by following speed limits, not texting, or using a cellular phone when behind the wheel, and, most importantly, not drinking and driving or using intoxicated substances while driving. Defensive driving by anticipating the actions of all road users can also decrease the chance of having a collision. On a social level, policymakers and agencies can establish stricter regulations and policies to improve road safety. For instance, they can punish bad drivers more severely, raise the fines for violations, and support campaigns that raise awareness regarding the hazards of driving over the speed limit, distracted driving, and drinking and driving. Also, better road construction can be done to ensure proper traffic regulations (signage), condition of the roads, and traffic management options.

My knowledge of driver safety was changed forever due to tragedy. A few years ago, I watched my uncle die in a motorcycle collision. He was very experienced and always communicated the need to wear his safety gear until that unfortunate day occurred when an animal crossed the road and caused the car in front of him to lock their brakes. He was not paying attention to driving and not able to stop accordingly and crashed. I will never forget the sight of my uncle in his horse shoes on the side of the road. Due to other negligent actions with driving, my uncle was dead in seconds.

This event was life-changing for me, and it cemented my beliefs around safe driving practices. It showed me what one driver's decision could do to the lives of others, in this case my uncle. Loss as a result of careless decisions is far too common in this world, and the need for complete driver education has been made crystal clear in my family's experiences. A strong emphasis exists within the community to focus on driver safety, this is the reason that I share my uncle's story, and try to educate others on the importance of the consequences of careless acts.

A key element of my approach to becoming a better and safer driver, is using strategies that develop my ability to drive safely and will encourage others to drive safely. First and foremost, I am mindful to stay focused and avoid distractions while I am driving. As an example, keeping my phone out of reach, avoiding conversations that could distract me while I drive. I attend defensive driving classes regularly to maintain and hone my driving skills, while also sharing things I learn in the classes to stay refreshed on new methods regarding safe driving. I encourage friends and family to also think and talk about road safety, and I share my uncle’s thoughts to give real world examples of what a careless act caused. I try to suggest to others who have questionable drives to say something if they see something unsafe. Lastly, I am utilizing technology to my advantage. Many new cars now come with various safety features, some include lane departure warnings and automatic braking. By using these technologies, I allow myself some more of a cushion of time to react to something happening around me.

In short, driver safety is a multi-faceted problem that takes the work of individuals, communities, and the government. Through driver education, laws and regulations concerning driving operations, and giving drivers the responsibility of safe driving, together we may lower the incidence of fatalities on our roads. My own experience with my uncle's accident is a strong reminder of how precious life is and why it is important to drive safely. I am hoping that embracing the initiatives of safety and interactions with others, in an effort to get people to be responsible, will keep us all safe and potentially, in honor of those we lost, eliminate as much unsafe driving as we can.