Life in the Hands of the Driver

The majority of people, drivers or non-drivers, believe that a car accident will never happen to them. They think the odds of getting into a crash is low, and the only important thing is for them to be a responsible driver. However, that is never how car accidents really happen. They can happen at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected ways. Whether it is a drunk driver at two in the morning or a student driver driving home after school. Nobody can predict a car accident, which is why driving education is so important for everyone whose hands are behind the wheel. Knowing how to drive defensively and limiting distractions can save the life of a loved one. Thousands of families are broken up or turned against one another when a car accident occurs. The lives of children and adults involved can never be replaced and the guilt from causing one of these accidences is in many cases unrecoverable. Even though many car accidents are unintentional, they still have permanent and lasting consequences and effects on real people’s lives. Such an immense number of car accidents do not even occur on major highways. Many happen around the corner of one’s own house or in the local downtown main street. People are distracted by other drivers, outside events, phone messages or calls, eating, or multitasking while driver their vehicle. No matter how a driver may become distracted, it is important to reduce these distractions for all drivers in order to lessen the chance of an accident occurring and an innocent life being lost. By educating people at a young age and even into adulthood, thousands of deaths caused by car accidents could be saved. Teaching the effects alcohol can have on a driver can influence people to take an Uber, rather than risk a life. I’ve seen the lasting effects obtaining a DUI can have on the life of an individual and the individual’s family. In my friend’s case, his father lost his license due to a DUI and he, a minor, is now forced to take up the heavy responsibility of keeping his father out from behind the wheel as well as take care of his brother. He does a good job of handling it, but to see someone you love to experience the consequences for their irresponsible actions without changing their behavior is very damaging to a family member’s relationship. I have also heard of friends my father grew up with who committed vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and had to deal with the guilt and legal punishment that ultimately destroyed their livelihood. Safe driving doesn’t only save the lives of victims; it also saves the lives of the driver and all who could be involved in an accident. As a driver myself, I can do my part to reduce car accidents by giving intoxicated drivers a ride home instead or order them an Uber. This helps to keep drunk drivers off the road and limits the risk of an accident occurring. I can also require passengers in my car to wear seatbelts and help navigate through traffic, keeping myself and my passengers as safe as I can. I can also drive defensively and stay out of the way of other reckless drivers. Every driver is bound to experiencing close calls while driving. Whether it is someone who cuts them off, bumper to bumper traffic, missing an exit, or briefly being distracted by a phone. It is most important, however, to learn from past mistakes and change driving habits to ensure all chances of causing or being in a car accident is reduces. The best way to do this is to stay off cellular devices while on the road, set directions to a destination ahead of time, and start playing a music playlist before you even touch the gas pedal. All these are precautions that can be made by a driver of any age to provide safety for themselves and all who are on the road. For some, attending a driving class of traffic school may even be beneficial. Especially for those of older age, this can be a good refresher on proper, safe driving guidelines and changes to the laws of the road. Also, for senior citizens, it may also be best to take vision tests and make sure their ability to drive is fully functional. This can also be the responsibility of their family members to keep their parents safe on the road and if need be, have their licenses revoked and help them get to the placed they need to be. With these precautions, I believe thousands, even millions, of lives could be saved all around the world that are caused by driving accidents. Nothing has a greater control of another’s life than the hands that are behind the wheel.