Automobile accidents are the leading cause of non-medical related deaths in the United States. Everyday hundreds of people get into accidents on the road, resulting in potential death or injury. This leaves lasting effects that damage families and communities forever. However, this reality can be avoided with simple education on the causes of accidents and how to avoid them. We must also take other preventative measures to ensure that we do everything we can to reduce the number of traffic accidents.

I have been around car accidents before. One of my good friends was distracted while driving, and was hit by his driver's side, totaling his car. I have witnessed many of my friends acting carelessly on the roads, using their phones, and being distracted whilst operating a vehicle. I too have been rear ended at an airport by a driver who was not focusing on who or what was ahead of her. My mom has also been in six traffic accidents, none being her fault. The most impactful of these was when my mom was pregnant with me, she was rear ended by a driver who was following too close behind her when she had to brake for a deer in the road. This resulted in her being taken into the hospital, where she went into labor that had to be medically prevented. This incident impacts the way I drive, as I think about how it could have resulted in my death before I was even born. I make sure that my senses are keen on what is happening on the road. I took a driver’s education course to get my learners’ permit, and then took a defensive driving safety course. I know what needs to be done to prevent accidents on the road.

The most crucial step to preventing accidents is education. Drivers need to be aware of what could happen should they be distracted whilst driving. The more we make people aware of the consequences of distracted/impaired driving, the less likely they are to take the risk. Steps such as school assemblies, billboards, commercials, and public safety announcements are just some of the outreaches that can be incredibly helpful to ensure that drivers know just how dangerous impaired and distracted driving is. It is also important that we take other steps to reduce traffic accidents. We should periodically evaluate people’s driving abilities. Many elderly people cannot fully use their senses, which can result in accidents on the road. As people get older, our senses tend to wither, and many often do not realize the extent to which their reactivity and awareness has deteriorated until it is too late. Retests should be done every so often to make sure that everyone who has a license is fit to drive, and that those who could pose a danger to themselves and others on the road do not drive. We must also consider those who drive impaired. We need to be more diligent in punishing those who choose to get behind the wheel while impaired in any way. The harsher we are, the less likely people are to do it.

Personally, I also take precautions to make sure that I am as safe as I can be on the road. I put my cell phone on silent, and I never check it while driving. I always stay focused and aware, using my mirrors and other safety features to ensure that I get where I need to go safely. I also make sure that I keep my speed at the speed limit to ensure the safest driving experience for me and everyone else on the road. More importantly, I stay aware of my surroundings and pay attention to other people who may not be taking the same precautions as I am. Accidents that result from other people’s carelessness are no less likely than those that result from your own.

In conclusion, distracted/impaired driving is always a choice, and we need to educate ourselves and others to make sure that drivers choose to be responsible. If we properly educate ourselves on what causes accidents and how we can prevent them, we make ourselves safer drivers for not just ourselves, but for everybody else on the roads. Steps like these may seem small and insignificant alone, but if we all do our part in spreading awareness on the causes behind traffic accidents and how we can prevent them, then we can ensure that our roads remain a safe environment right now and in the future.