While yes, seatbelts, airbags, car seats, and not driving while you are drunk are big steps that can reduce deaths due to driving, it's certainly not a step that is significant to changing that number and more; don't talk about it. Deaths due to car accidents have been rising considerably each year, with more and more being caused by mistakes that shouldn't have happened. Everyone is required to pass a permit and a behind-the-wheel driver's test where knowing laws and practicing those laws are tested to assess readiness, but why do most not abide by those laws after passing those tests? No matter how much fun it is, or just trying to impress a friend costs a life. Teenagers and adults being cocky and uncaring in the way they choose to drive is the main reason for deaths due to accidents. Alongside teenagers and adults who think they can drive perfectly, they break simple traffic laws, costing a life. Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving are to instill in those who don't think reckless driving can affect anyone that it's actually very dangerous, as well as not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It seems now that every time I drive, the chances of me getting in a car accident increase. Not because of my mistakes or driving skills, but simply others not following traffic laws. Not stopping completely at stop signs, driving up on the right shoulder, not stopping for cars when it's their right of way, and more. As I'm writing this, something happened to me early this morning as I was driving to school. I had my blinkers on as I turned left into this sort of driveway in front of the school, and this car behind me clearly in a hurry for some reason was going to drive up to my left but changed his mind. Another instance was when I was driving back to school; it's my right of way, and there was a car coming out of a neighborhood that had a stop who was supposed to stop until it was clear of cars. They obviously didn't stop, and I had to press the brakes firmly, and so did they in order not to hit each other. There is no patience on the road anymore, so much road rage, and breaking laws for no reason, causing more and more accidents. My last example thankfully didn't happen to me, but it happened in my city on Gilman Road. Everyone knows Gilman is known for having accidents constantly, but this one was particularly sad. A car passed on the right illegally, veered on the left, and struck another car. Because of simply not listening to traffic rules, six people total died, including two children and including the person who broke the law; none of these innocent people deserved this, and because that person didn't care enough about the risks, he also killed himself because of that.
Drugs and alcohol addiction are rising in America. I understand it's hard to get out of that mindset and addiction, but driving under those influences is the number one reason for car accidents. Most know how dangerous it is to drive in that state, yet people do it anyway, but I want to focus on those who don't know. Driving under the influence of alcohol specifically makes you drive more erratic. It causes your reflexes to slow down, thus causing your ability to drive to worsen. Simply understanding, knowing, and choosing not to drive in that state will save a life. No one can control what people decide to consume and take in, but the actions you take after that are vital because you increase your chances of hurting someone else, not just yourself. I think it was my sophomore year in high school where someone who was drunk drove into the fence of my school and completely destroyed it; thankfully no one got hurt, but it's just an example of what driving in a state like that can do. I've heard of too many stories of people dying in a car accident due to being under the influence, whether it was because they were driving too fast, driving recklessly, or just not knowing what they were doing.
America already has a high mortality rate, with it being 9.226% in 2024, and looking at past years, this year is the highest. Implanting in everyone's head that simply following the law will save your life and everyone else’s. I don't want people to be scared of driving, but I want to sink into people's brains how dangerous it is to recklessly drive, to not care about rules and think they're too good for them, even though it's there to protect everyone.