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In the Driver’s Seat

Name: Logan Mackenzie Ponce
From: Columbia, South Carolina
Votes: 0


When it comes to driver safety, numerous studies have proven the
importance of drivers ed in reducing accidents and
fatalities. A study by the University of Nebraska on teenaged drivers
found that young drivers who haven’t completed a driver’s
education course are 16% more likely to get in an accident and 24%
more likely to be part of a fatal injury accident. These findings
were supported the AAA Foundation which also found that teens who
complete drivers ed programs not only scored higher on the
driving exam, they also demonstrated a greater long-term knowledge
over teens who did not take drivers ed. This is significant because
the studies also found that early driving habits tended to stay with
drivers throughout their life highlighting the importance of
establishing good driving behaviors as early as possible.

Fortunately,
modern technology is increasing driver safety by offering a number of
new solutions. According to AAA, researchers have identified several
current technologies that can help reduce accidents and ease the
strain of driving. These technologies include forward collision
warning – which helps improve braking reaction time; automatic
crash notification – immediate medical attention; park assist with
rearview display and/or cross-traffic warning – warns drivers of
obstacles when backing up; semi-autonomous parking assistance –
enabling the vehicle to parallel park by itself; and, navigation
assistance – turn by turn guidance which increases feeling of
safety and confidence. The newest emerging technology that could also
be the most beneficial to reducing driver fatalities is artificial
intelligence. Many of today’s modern cars already include a
computer “brain” that monitors and automates simple functions. As
AI becomes more sophisticated, cars could be equipped with a limited
AI that integrates all of the safety features mentioned above.

I
have personally witnessed how easy it is to driver irresponsibly
while as a passenger with my mother. Although she is normally a safe
driver, on more than one occasion she has become distracted by a
conversation which led to her receiving a citation for speeding.
These situations emphasized to me how quickly a driver can become
distracted. Although neither incident led to a crash under different
circumstances the outcome could have changed our lives forever.

The
most important step any driver can take to become a safer driver is
to eliminate distractions. Although hands-free technology can reduce
the danger associated with cell phones even a distraction such as a
simple conversation is enough to endanger a driver, as I witnessed
firsthand. In addition to focusing driving, defensive driving is a
key to safe driving. Observing the speed limit gives drivers more
reaction time as does maintaining a two-to-four second cushion
between the vehicles. Drivers can further improve their safety by
making sure they are rested and creating a trip plan that allows time
for food, rest breaks, phone calls and other business.

Driving
is a privilege and not a constitutional right. If you’re going to
drive, you owe it to the other roadway users and yourself to operate
the vehicle in a safe manner.