By Veeda Khan

According to the New Jersey State Police Department, Monmouth County had the third highest number of fatal car crashes in the state in 2016. These are the same roads that my family, my friends, and I drive on. It is terrifying to think that an act as simple and frequent as driving could possibly result in the death of a person. I believe that there are three main types of driving that result in accidents: driving under the influence, reckless driving, and distracted driving. To improve road safety, both our society and the government have to find solutions to these issues.

Here’s a sobering statistic: according to the New Jersey State Police Department, Monmouth County has the highest number of drunk driving incidents in the entire state. There are several reasons people drive under the influence: they are underestimating how intoxicated they are, they do not want to pay for an Uber or a taxi, or they overestimate their own driving abilities. The easiest way to combat drunk driving is to have designated drivers or to make plans ahead of time when you know you’re going to be drinking. It is also important for society to note how destructive driving under the influence can be to people’s lives. The more we condemn driving under the influence in any circumstances, the less likely people are going to see it as an option.

Moreover, many people drive recklessly without realizing it. Most people don’t realize that when they switch lanes without signalling or speed because they are late, they are endangering the lives of themselves and others. The biggest perpetrators of reckless drivers are teenagers as they don’t have the experience most adults do. Stricter Gradual Driver Licensing laws would still allow teenagers to drive while minimizing their risk of getting in an accident. People may also drive recklessly due to distractions such as their cell phone or other people in their car. The best way to avoid distractions is to put your phone on silent and make sure the people in your car know not to be too loud. Stricter laws regarding phone usage may also help in lowering the rates of reckless driving. To avoid being distracted while behind the wheel, it is best to treat driving as an active task rather than a passive one.

Overall, I believe that there are many factors of accidents, some of which are easily preventable. I advocate safe driving practices, such as wearing a seatbelt and silencing your phone, to my family and friends constantly. When I am behind the wheel, I am aware of my surroundings and focus my entire attention on the act of driving. Driving is an act many of us do everyday and thus it is our responsibility to make sure we are doing it safely.