Less Death More Prep!

Ryan Leal

September 18, 2020

Less Death More Prep!

Throughout the years, modes of transportation have evolved exponentially. From horses to planes, the human race has developed a way to get from one place to another at varying speeds. The most common means of transport is, of course, driving. About eighty-eight percent of Americans own a vehicle and an average of 34,000 of those American people die each year. Reducing that number may seem like a difficult task, but implementing a more intense driver’s education in our society can improve the number of safe drivers we have on our roads.

Though I am lucky enough to have not been involved or have a close friend or relative die in a car accident, I am aware of the tragedies and loved ones lost each year during them. Entering my senior year, I am finally taking driving education classes to get my license. I have been hesitant to start driving because I suffer from severe road anxiety when I am on the wheel. Though this might sound like a recipe for disaster, I have learned several coping mechanisms to keep my sanity on the road. I keep myself and encourage others to continue learning and practicing driving precautions and safety measures. This, along with clearing my mind and calming my spirit, allows me to peacefully and safely take on driving. Though there is always the thought of other reckless drivers, the more we learn and educate ourselves on safe driving, the more safe drivers there are on the road. When there are human lives at stake, there should be no limit on a price to pay for their safety. I believe this price is a longer and more in-depth defensive and safe driving requirements in order to receive a license. Car accidents have been only been on a minimal decline since 2017, but to steepen the dip, more prerequisites should be required to obtain a license.

Most people do not even think about taking extra measures for safe driving. In 2017, 160,000 children ages 12 and below were injured in motor vehicle crashes. These children did not even have an option or course of action to change their fate. Their fate is in the hands of the driver. If we continue to have no change in driver safety education, the results will stay minimal. In the past decade, the increase and decrease in motor accident deaths have fluctuated. There needs to be a serious reconstruction of our driver’s license tests and qualifications. Too many people die for there not to be a change. That change can start with our generation. If our generation makes a stance and educates ourselves, others, and generations that come before and after us in driving safety and preparation, we can change the death rate caused by reckless driving.

In 2019, 10,511 fatalities occurred just by drunk driving. Drunk driving happens with all ages, whether it be Generation Z or Baby Boomers. This problem is put on the decisions of people. We decide whether to go behind the wheel while intoxicated. Drunk drivers take the lives of thousands of innocent people and themselves from just one bad decision. If we put a harder punishment on drivers found drunk and stricter policies on bars allowing drinkers to leave in their own vehicle, the number of drunk drivers on the road will decrease tremendously, causing the death rate to drop and innocent families to make it home safely.

No one wants to be behind a wheel during a car accident. There are so many ways we can prevent ourselves from finding us in that situation. We choose whether or not to be a safe and sober driver. Though it is impossible to stop all vehicle casualties, a great number of good decisions and implemented policies can lower the extremely high number of deaths caused by them. So I urge you to educate yourselves and spread the awareness of being a safe driver because change starts first when looking in a mirror.