Preventing Car Accidents One Step at a Time

Preventing
Car Accidents One Step at a Time

Car
accidents are the ninth leading cause of death globally, contributing
to 2.2% of deaths worldwide (ASIRT). Unfortunately, many of these
accidents and thousands more not involving fatalities are due to
completely preventable causes. In fact, distracted driving is the
number one cause of car accidents (King, Elizabeth L.). With
technology becoming increasingly more mobile through cell phones,
tablets, and other devices, it becomes more difficult to control how
people use such devices while driving. While laws have been passed to
limit this activity, it is clear that an improvement in driver
education and responsibility is necessary to decrease preventable
automotive deaths.

In
the United States alone, six million car accidents occur every year.
Of these, around 2 million people experience debilitating injuries
(Driver Knowledge). Since Drivers ed is not required beyond
the age of 16, many older citizens get their driver’s license
without proper education of road laws. In addition, practice is
essential for perfecting one’s driving skills. Without the proper
training and mentors to give young or new drivers advice and
critiques, many people could become hurt. While this is not the cause
of all car accident related deaths, it would likely significantly
decrease those numbers. Additionally, a law should be created in
addition to the Drivers ed requirement for 16-year-olds
that requires older drivers to complete a slightly less extensive but
similar course. Through these actions, all drivers could enjoy safer
road conditions knowing that their peers earned their license and are
well-educated.

Many
of my friends drive irresponsibly, and I take the steps to ensure
that they learn about safe driving habits. For example, I offer to
read and respond to text messages for them when I am in the back
seat. Of course, I am not always there to offer assistance and
therefore I encourage them to turn their phones on silent while they
drive to resist the temptation. I also informed them of phone mounts
that can be placed on the windshield or air vent to prop the phone up
in the car. Both of these options are great alternatives to texting
and driving. Although laws have been passed attempting to prevent
this behavior, many teens still think they are invincible to the
effects of texting and driving. In fact, 40% of teens say they have
been in the car with a friend using their phone irresponsibly (Driver
Knowledge). Therefore, a plan to make it seem more real to teens
would likely create a change of behavior within this age group. For
example, schools could show a video showcasing a several teens that
have been involved or affected by an accident in which distracted
driving was the cause. Through this video, hopefully teens will see
that texting and driving has real consequences.

Overall,
there are many steps that driver can take to attempt to make
themselves and others safer drivers. Making drivers ed to
some extent mandatory beyond the age of 16 will ensure that older
drivers learn the same rules of the road as younger drivers.
Providing these new drivers with a mentor that can properly answer
their questions about driving situations will allow everyone the
opportunity to learn all of the road laws and regulations.
Furthermore, many teens especially tend to disobey recent laws that
have outlawed cell phone use in vehicles. Finding a way to reach
these teenagers, such as a video, by demonstrating the devastating
effects their actions can have will make it more likely that these
individuals obey the law, rather than defy it. Ultimately, there will
always be some form of distracted or irresponsible driver on the
road. However, whatever steps we can take to minimize these hazards
will make the road an overall safer place.

Works
Cited

“Annual
Global Road Crash Statistics.” Association
for Safe International Road Travel,
www.asirt.org/safe-travel/road-safety-facts/.
Accessed on 29 March 2020.

“Car
Accident Statistics in the U.S.” Driver
Knowledge, www.driverknowledge.com/car-accident-statistics/.
Accessed 29 March 2020.

King,
Elizabeth L. “Top 15 Causes Of Car Accidents And How You Can
Prevent Them.” Huffington
Post, Published
31 August 2016, Updated 06 December 2017.
www.huffpost.com/entry/top-15-causes-of-car-accidents_b_11722196.
Accessed on 29 March 2020.