The Solution Starts With You

The importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of driving deaths is crucial. Knowing the rules of the road and seeing what happens when you don’t follow those rules can, for lack of a better word, scare people into observing the laws. Drivers ed involves explaining what happens when people think the rules don’t apply to them and the consequences of those decisions. When you show people that there is a simple solution to avoiding negative consequences in their life, they want to follow that. All of this leads to safer drivers which in turn leads to, hopefully, fewer deaths. The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving are first an increased emphasis on the effects of drugs and alcohol. Teaching how drugs impair the senses would show people why they shouldn’t drive while impaired. The second step is to teach the dangers of distracted driving, which is one of the main causes of driving-related accidents, to teenagers. If drivers ed is able to get through to teenagers, they will help set a new precedent of not giving in to distractions. The third step to reducing the number of driving-related deaths is to have adults renew their drivers ed. Once a person reaches a certain age, they have to attend a set number of classes. The goal is to help adults recall rules of the road and safety precautions. All three of these steps could help reduce the number of driving-related deaths. I have seen my mom driving responsibility by looking at something on her phone while driving. I tell her not to, but she’ll still look at her phone. One way I try to prevent this is by volunteering to text someone for her or look up directions for her. She will now give me her phone or tell me to text someone. These experiences have taught me that you can help someone to stop their bad habits by asking the person if you can help him or her. The steps that I can take to become a better and safer driver are to leave my phone in the back seat or on silence so as to avoid possible distractions at all costs. Even having a phone next to someone can be enough to distract a person from driving. Another step that I can take is to be aware of the speed limit at all times. Knowing the speed limit of streets I drive on a daily basis would be useful in avoiding speeding. Some steps I can take to help others become safer on the road is to volunteer to text or give directions to the driver. This helps the person to steer clear of his’ or her’s phone. I can also help by encouraging my friends and family to buckle up. Seat belts save lives and making sure others in the car are buckled up is one of the simplest ways to help those I care about.