The Reality of Driving

The Reality of Driving

There are many dangers on the road while driving. No matter how experienced (or inexperienced) one may be, there are risks of being a driver. Around 34,000 Americans die each year due to driving. There are steps that can be taken to become a better and safer driver.

Driver education is important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. 

Whether you just got your permit or you’re fifty-four driving along the roads, you still need to be educated, since you’re a driver. Driver’s education is important because it familiarizes you with the way the road works and your responsibilities you now have as a driver. It’s all about safety and knowing what to do when driving, because you are not only responsible for your own life, but those around you. 

If you haven’t been in a car accident yourself, I’m sure you can think of someone who has been. Thankfully, I have never been in one, but have known people who have. It’s scary. It happens. It’s real. Just a few days ago, my dad and I were driving back home, and this lady was taking up two lanes and while looking down on her phone, she almost ran into us. Looking down for a split second, can change your reality. It’s easy to ignore the dangers of driving, but they are real dangers and they should be taken seriously.

Steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. For example, one step, easier said than done, is by not texting and driving. So many drivers have become accustomed to texting while driving that it’s become a norm in society. A step that can be taken is by putting your phone in your console or turning it off while driving. By doing this, you’re limiting the distractions of your phone, allowing your attention to be on the road. Another step that can be taken to reduce deaths related to driving is by not trying to multitask. It is scientifically proven that it is impossible to multitask, so when you combine multitasking while driving, that can and will result in serious accidents, and sometimes even death. When driving, don’t eat in the car, don’t look in the mirrors to check your hair or makeup, don’t dig around in your purse or wallet, etc. While these actions may seem minor, they can have serious consequences when your full attention is not on the road. Some practical steps I can take to be a better and safer driver is by not switching music on my phone while driving and by putting my phone in my console so I’m not tempted to get on it and check a text. By taking these steps, you can save your life and someone else’s.

The next time you go out for a drive, remember the risks, but also remember what you can do to be a safer driver. By limiting distractions, focusing on only driving, and more, these simple steps can lead you to be a better driver. Walter Dill Scott writes, “The future of the safety movement is not so much dependent upon the invention of safety devices as on the improvement of methods of educating people to the ideal of caution and safety.” Educating yourself and others leads to caution and safety.