Preventing Vehicle Death Through Early Education

Preventing Vehicular Deaths Through Early Education

Drivers education is important in reducing accidents caused by irresponsible driving, because drivers education is the typically the first piece of knowledge new drivers receive before getting behind the wheel. Drivers education begins around the age of 15 or 16. At that young age teenagers are in general not as mature and often have poor judgment. It is very important that they learn everything from simple pre-driving inspections all the way to road safety. Being educated on the results of irresponsible driving can reduce the number of accidents and deaths by opening the eyes of our youth and preparing them for the responsibility of driving.

Texting and driving has made a huge impact on the number of accident related deaths. In 2020, more than 3,166 deaths in the united states that was a result from texting and driving. According to the text ninja resources and driving statics, that number is up from just 366 deaths from texting and driving in 2010. The affordability of cell phones has given most people easy access. With more phones in American households, there are more young drivers given the temptation to text while driving. I believe by giving new drivers these statistics as well as emphasizing the importance of using text blocking applications and phone settings. Utilizing these programs notifies the sender of a text the receiver is driving and cannot accept at this time, but will respond as soon as possible. Using both education and advance technology can reduce the number of text related motor vehicle accidents, injuries and deaths.

Another way to educate drivers is through personal experience. The impact of speaking with someone, or listening to speaker who has either been a victim or the suspect of a vehicle death can be an emotionally impactful. Sometime we need to see to believe. Videos, stories and live interaction with those that have been effected by such tragedies are sometime our best learning tool.

As a 911 dispatcher, I receive dozens of calls a day related to traffic accidents. The increase of incoming 911 calls related to distracted driving has definitely increased as the access to cell phones increase. Working as a dispatcher has certainly opened my eyes to the overwhelming amount of traffic accidents and more importantly, accidents that could have been prevented. I share my experiences with my family so they can get a little insight on just how epidemic distracted driving is. A large number of people have such a fear of flying in reference to the plane crashing, what people should realize, that with the increase of deaths on our roads, we should be more fearful of getting behind the wheel of a car, or getting in a vehicle at all.

Overall, I do believe that no one who is texting and driving believes such a tragic event could ever happen to them. The sad truth is, that it certainly can, and most likely will the more times you put yourself at risk. The more we know, the more power we have to make wise decisions. Let’s not only give our youth this power, but drivers of all ages. America as a whole has a responsibility to keep our roads safe and to take as many preventative measures as possible. Using education through drivers education programs, seminars and one on one discussions as well as providing the technology that is available are all great outlets to start preventative measures to responsible driving.