Drive Right, Save A Life

Driver safety, a topic that most young drivers have heard a lot about. Courses on driver safety are sometimes required before obtaining a license. Though seen as bothersome, the courses definitely serve a purpose. Driver safety is a topic that one may slack on occasionally, and do not realize the dangers of until too late. According to the CDC, in 2019, almost 2,400 teens in the United States were killed. An additional 258,000 were sent to the hospital to be treated for injuries. This means that every day, seven teens are victims of fatal car accidents. A number that is shockingly high. As technology advances, the roads are becoming safer. However, if one does not practice safe driving, danger will continue to linger, looking for another teen to prey on.

Driver’s Education is the first step to creating a safer environment for young drivers. Driver’s Education, also known as Driver’s Ed, is a course that prepares new drivers for a license. Depending on the state, it can be required. Typically, the course is thirty hours long. Though it may seem long, it ensures the safety of the driver and the safety of others on the road. In Driver’s Ed., a new driver will learn road signs, consequences of a DUI, illegal U-turns, seatbelt and child restraint violations, plus more. These topics may seem random or of non-importance. However, they play a vital role in keeping everyone safe, whether a driver or a passenger. An excellent example of this are road signs. Road signs are present among the road and are hard to miss, due to the fact they come in all shapes and sizes, and are different, bright colors. Though, the purpose of road signs is a lot more important than decoration. Road signs provide information to the driver. They tell what to expect or remind of a regulation in that specific area. For example, a construction sign may warn of workers on the road, or inform drivers of a detour. Stop signs inform drivers when to stop on a road. Thus, preventing drivers from crashing into each other. Simple things like signs are often overthought when asked about contributors of safety. Seatbelts are commonly skipped over, though the importance is drastic. In the event of a crash, a seat belt can be the difference in minor versus fatal injuries. The main purpose of seat belts is to greatly reduce death and injury in the event of a car accident. As stated by the CDC, seat belts reduce injury by forty five percent and reduce death by fifty percent. Seat belts also aid in preventing drivers and passengers from being ejected during car accidents. With the exception of New Hampshire, seat belts are required when driving in every state in the United States. Popular signs on the road with slogans like “Buckle Up, It’s The Law”, remind drivers to wear them at all times. In simple terms, seat belts are a small contributor with a big impact on safety.

Knowing safe practices of driving are important. However, knowing steps that can be taken to be safe is also important. Though there are many tips and tricks on being a safe driver, they can be narrowed down into eight key tips, highlighted by Nemours Children’s Health. To start with, think safety first. Avoiding distracting tendencies is extremely important when driving. Driving is a skill that requires extreme caution and attention. Being attentive makes the driver stronger in case of bad driving from others. Locking doors and wearing seat belts are minor practices that ensure safety. Another tip is being aware of surroundings when driving. Checking mirrors when driving allows the driver to see behind and around the car. Keeping an eye on surroundings will allow the driver to monitor aggressive behavior as well as monitor road conditions. A very important thing to remember is that when driving, one cannot rely on others. However, that does not mean that looking out for others is of unimportance. On the other hand, it means to not make assumptions when driving. Assuming drivers will make room for you is sometimes not logical, and a mindset like such can cause harm. Nemours also points out that following the three to four second rule is a good tip for safety. The three to four second rule emphasizes leaving three to four seconds of room between a driver and the car in front of them. This allows a driver to successfully follow the car in front of them within a safe distance, as well as have time in case of an emergency brake. According to Nemours, this rule only works in normal weather conditions. Increasing following distance in unpleasant weather conditions such as rain, sleet, or snow, is a safe driving practice. Another tip is to keep the speed down. Generally speaking, in many areas speed limit signs are posted. These signs apply a speed limit in ideal situations. As a driver, one has to be cautious and monitor speed in the area, and make sure that the speed of the vehicle is appropriate for the conditions. This ensures that drivers are not speeding in time of limited visibility, disturbances on the road, and such. Having a higher speed makes it hard for the driver to manipulate the vehicle in case of an emergency. Next, having an escape plan is vital. When driving, it is important to be in a situation where the driver can be seen by others, but also can see the environment. Making sure to have a place to move a vehicle in case the immediate path is blocked is also crucial. Making sure not to get overwhelmed is key. When driving, facing multiple risks is common and inevitable. As a driver, it is crucial to be able to separate the risks out and not get overwhelmed. Lastly, cut out distractions. Again, driving requires one’s full attention. If listening to music will distract the driver, cut it out. On the road, everyone is at risk, not just the driver.

I, myself, have had experiences with car accidents. When I was about twelve, my father, along with my older brother, were victims of a car accident. They were sitting in a parking lot, when a semi truck made a wrong turn and hit them. I remember getting a call, and not sure if they were going to be okay. Thankfully, both my brother and my father were fine. However, my father’s truck was totaled. The front tires were curved inward, the side was extremely bent up. I think that definitely gave me some insight. It made me realize the fear that the family of victims also face, along with the family. Another instance, I was around seven. I was in the car with the rest of my family. We were waiting at a stop sign, about to turn. All of a sudden, a drunk driver slammed into the back of our car. For most of my family, it was just sudden, and everyone was okay. My mother, however, had a severe neck injury. I remember the police coming, and the EMT’s taking my mother away in a neck brace. For a while after, my mother faced issues with her neck and back. I think that being in car accidents myself has given me a perspective of wanting to be safe on the road. Not just for me, but for others too. Having fear, wondering if your mother, father, or sibling will be okay, is nothing I would wish on anyone. It makes me want to be a safe driver, watch the road, and make sure that others stay safe as well. I recognize the importance of safe practices, not drinking while intoxicated, wearing a seat belt, etcetera. I don’t want to experience something worse than that myself, nor do I want it for others.

To wrap up, driving is a skill that requires attention. All across the country, young teens are gaining a milestone that changes their lives. Being able to drive is thrilling. Unfortunately, the dangers that come with it are not. Education is key in times like this. Knowing how to drive to keep others safe is the difference between safe and reckless driving. Understanding that not only the driver’s life is at risk, but the passengers, as well as whoever is on the road is extremely important. Every year, thousands of young teens lose their lives to recklessness. The cycle can end now. Teens can choose to learn, and encourage others. Ultimately, they can choose to better the road now, and for years to come.

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 21). Teen drivers and passengers: Get the facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, January 3). Policy impact: Seat belts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/seatbeltbrief/index.html#:~:text=Seat%20belts%20dramatically%20reduce%20risk,of%20serious%20injury%20by%2050%25.&text=Seat%20belts%20prevent%20drivers%20and%20passengers%20from%20being%20ejected%20during%20a%20crash.

The Nemours Foundation. (2016, September). The keys to defensive driving (for teens) – nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/driving-safety.html