Licensed to Drive

One
of the most exciting days in the life of a teenager is the day that
they are licensed to drive. With all of this excitement the
responsibility that comes with a driver’s
license is often overlooked and taken lightly. Every day, millions of
people get into a car without thinking twice about their safety or
the safety of others on the road. Many people do not know that 34,000
people die every year to due vehicular causes. What are the reasons
behind these vehicular accidents?

We
have found that there are many causes for the accidents that occur on
the roads. There are five main driving safety tips that could save
your life and the lives of others. One, drive dry, not high. In every
state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) of 0.08 or higher. Traffic accidents are predominantly caused
by drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In 2016,
10,497 people died in car crashes involving a driver who was under
the influence.

Two,
have the intention to pay attention. In 2015, 3,477 people were
killed, and 391,000 people were injured in a car crash involving a
distracted driver. Anything that takes your attention away from
driving can be a distraction — sending a text message, talking on a
cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a
few examples of distracted driving. Any of these distractions can
endanger the driver and others. Texting while driving is especially
dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction: visual,
cognitive, and manual.

Three,
click it before you kick it. In 2015, 10,772 people died in car
accidents because they riding in the car unrestrained by a seat belt.
Using a seat belt might not seem very important, but in reality,
taking the extra 5 seconds to buckle your seat belt could preserve
your life.

Four,
don’t
cruise and snooze. About 1 in 25 people over 18 years-old report
falling asleep at the wheel in the past 30 days. If you are drowsy
while driving, then you should make it a point to pull over and rest
or get an energy booster.

Five,
take it slow in the snow. Weather-related car accidents account for
nearly 6,000 fatalities and 445,000 injuries. Make sure that your car
is well suited for the conditions that the weather brings.

Taking
the extra time to make sure you follow these five safety tips could
save your life and the lives of others. Many do not seriously
consider traffic safety. Being able to drive is not a right; it is a
privilege. Taking that privilege lightly is something that too many
people do today. Remember the day that you got your license and the
excitement that came with it. You have grown in maturity and
responsibility. That maturity should be geared towards encouraging
road safety.