Arrive Safe, not Sorry

What is your goal once you step inside your vehicle and start the car? Arriving at your destination safely, this is the number one goal that should be on every driver’s mind. When you first take an interest in driving a motor vehicle, whether you’re a teen or adult, you take the time to learn the rules and laws of the roads. It is required by the state to be able to operate a vehicle, people will learn this information and learn how to drive a vehicle to obtain a  driver’s license. It is an exciting milestone in a person’s life which gives most people and sense of independence. But most people miss the most important thing about driving a vehicle, which is safety.

Safety is a major issue with most drivers in the United States. There are many different reasons why so many people crash daily which can possibly result in death. Distractions are the main cause of car accidents in the US, driving while on the cell phone, eating in the car, low attention level, tiredness, road rage, and drunk driving. These are the top reasons people lose parents, children, and loved ones daily. People lack the educational side of driving and believe holding a license is good enough to be able to drive. Not all license holders can drive properly or know what things mean such as road signs. This causes drivers to continue to put themselves and others around them in danger.

The importance of driver education is providing drivers with the proper knowledge and awareness while driving a motor vehicle. This increases the safety of many drivers knowing that they have the knowledge and awareness to react appropriately in the proper situation. To reduce driving related accidents or deaths, improving driver’s responsibility habits and distractions will increase the likelihood of arriving to your destination safely with a car in perfect condition, and secured insurance. Some things the US can do to increase the safety arrival rate is by fixing the road infrastructure. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is held responsible for road construction on highways and streets in the cities. By watching and taking action to fix road issues in a timely manner can also increase the safety of drivers and their vehicle. Fifteen percent of Georgia drivers must repair their vehicles due to many road issues, potholes being the biggest issue in Georgia. If both drivers and the Federal Highway Administration took the necessary steps to increase the likelihood of making it home safely there would be less car related deaths.

Arriving home safely is my number one goal everyday I wake up. There was a time where my mom and I were on the way to my school, and as the light changed to green, we had the right a way to continue straight but a man who was most likely under the influence or sleepy decide to keep going straight from a side point after his light was already red. This caused a collision to where he rammed into our vehicle from the side with a SUV truck forcing us out of the lane we were in. He then tried to pull to the side as if we hit him. This was a new experience that I witnessed, and that’s when I knew he was under the influence or was extremely sleepy. And from the age of eleven I knew that once I got of age to obtain a driver’s license, I knew I would learn how the roads worked but also know the importance of driver’s safety.

As a new driver I will always watch out for myself and others while operating a vehicle. By making sure I know the rules and laws of the road, this allows me to be confident in my driving skills and the knowledge I obtained from studying the DDS Driver’s Manual. Also, helping those who I know are interested in driving obtain the proper knowledge and ways of the road will help them drive safe as a new driver which is very and should be the goal each time someone steps inside of a motor vehicle. Passing along the importance of driving a vehicle to new driver can make a difference and change the mindset of youngers kids who think about speed more than safety. Arriving safe, not sorry is the main goal while operating a vehicle, having awareness and knowledge is the best way to become a safe driver.