Picture yourself at a four way stop. Traffic is heavy and you are in a rush because you're late for an appointment. You await a left hand turn after one more vehicle in front of you. Your heart is beating fast because if you are late you may not be able to get into your appointment. The car in front of you turns and now you’re in front of the line. Quickly without thinking you start to speed at the turn only thinking about what will happen if you are late, and at the very last second you see a car headed straight for you. You try to stop but it is too late, you and the other driver have collided into a very serious car crash all because you were in too much of a hurry to remember simple traffic rules.
According to a study by the National Highway Safety Administration 36 percent of all car crashes happen at intersections and 97 percent of them are because the driver was not paying attention. People don’t realize the gravity of things like texting and driving, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, substance abuse, or not knowing the right away on intersections, but they should. So many deaths are caused from these simple things every day when they could have been avoided. Driving is not something to take lightly. It is a serious responsibility and not only impacts you, but everyone around you. From the anger of idiotic drunk drivers to the temptations of checking your phone, you have to control your actions. When you drive, you must stay alert and aware of your surroundings. I know it may be hard not to pass those incredibly slow old people who have left their blinker on, but you must resist. First, make sure you have a nice place to pass, preferably straight with no people coming the other way. If you are driving on a freeway, check the vehicles around you and make sure it is safe before you change lanes. How many other cars are around you? Do you have enough room to pass? These are good things to ask yourself.
Being a good driver starts with knowing the basic rules of the road. Who has the right of way when you approach that left turn, what lane you should be in, how closely you should follow a car, how you should change lanes, they are all important things to know. You learn all of these things in driver's education, which is why it’s important to pay attention. But if you already took it and still don’t know, look it up! Study, and be confident next time you drive in lots of traffic. Once you know these rules of the road, pay attention to your driving habits. Look at them and see if there is anything you can do better at. Come up with a solution to solve any problems you may find. Maybe you have a tendency to forget things or have the habit of looking at your phone. You could put notes on your dash to help remind you of the things you forget and keep your phone away from you.
I have been involved in a car accident before, but luckily it was not serious. It was very icy out and as I was driving home someone pulled out of their driveway. He was unable to stop due to the weather and dilapidated vehicle he was driving and hit the side of my car. I realized how important the safety of your vehicle is, especially in bad weather. I have never wrecked a vehicle myself but I have had a few close calls because I was not driving carefully enough. I tend to speed or not slow down enough for the turn I need to make, and I know these things because people have told me about it. It is good to give and receive criticism about driving to make the world a safer place. Don’t be afraid to kindly remind your friend that they need to stop at that stop sign, or use their blinker sooner when they make that turn. All of these things will help prevent car crashes as you improve your driving and help others along the way.
Driving is a privilege and a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously. It not only affects you, but everyone around you, including pedestrians and animals. Please make sure you know the rules of the road, basic traffic laws, watch your driving habits, and keep others aware so you and your friends are not involved in any serious car accidents. Many deaths occur from simple mistakes every day and they could be avoided if people would pay attention and drive cautiously.