Vehicular Homicide: The Unintentional Manslaughter

Jaden Oquendo

2020 Drivers ed Essay Contest

Vehicular Homicide: The Unintentional Manslaughter

Driving, it is defined as the controlled operation of a motor vehicle that is granted to drivers of a range of ages. Now when it comes to driving, people do not consider how dangerous and murderous it can truly be. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has shown that 37,461 people were killed in 34,436 motor vehicle crashes over the course of 2016; an average of 102 per day. The result of deaths like these are also known as Vehicular Homicide, or a crime that involves the death of a person other than the driver as a result of either criminally negligent or murderous operation of a motor vehicle. These fatalities and deaths are the result of people who no longer properly educate themselves about the responsibilities one has when driving a motor vehicle. In this essay, I will explain how essential a proper education is for reducing death by driving, the steps it takes to reduce deaths involving motor vehicles, the steps it takes in order to make oneself a better and safer driver, and the steps it takes to help other drivers become safer and more responsible individuals on the road.

To further expand off this concept, the reasons as to why driving education is essential for reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is because being more educated about the risks and fatal events that can occur when people drive recklessly has resulted in drivers who are more aware and focused on the road. A new study that followed more than 150,000 drivers over eight years has found that drivers ed significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. When someone is looking to become a driver of their state, region, or ordinance they should be properly educated about everything that can and could be involved when being a driver. The study showed that drivers who have not completed drivers ed are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident. Statistically, when a driver is more educated about driving they are less prone to the fatalities of the road. The study concluded that 11.1 percent of those who took drivers ed were involved in a car crash, compared to the 12.9 percent of those who did not take drivers ed. 2.1 percent of the drivers ed group was involved in an accident that caused injury or death, compared to 2.6 percent of those who did not take drivers ed. 10.4 percent of drivers who took drivers ed were ticketed for moving traffic violations, compared to 18.3 percent of those who did not take drivers ed. It is without a doubt that people who properly educate themselves about driving are statistically less prone to car accidents and goes to show why driving education is crucial to reducing the number of fatalities and deaths as a result of driving.

Furthermore, driving will continue to be a hazardous thing but in order to make it safer people need to know that the steps that can be taken in order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving or vehicular accidents simply include obeying the traffic laws, being predictable, avoiding distractions, driving alert and rested, and steering clear of alcohol and drugs when having any intention of driving; Doing this can help make the roads safer for oneself and for all. Going more in-depth with this issue, people need to consider how reckless driving while drunk, driving distracted, driving at illegal speeds, and driving inattentive could mean life or death for yourself or someone else on the road. When it comes to Drunk Driving, the sobering reality of it is that it is obviously a dangerous behavior, yet too often drivers get behind the wheel with alcohol in their bloodstream, impairing judgment and slowing reaction time; sadly, drunk driving claimed more than 10,000 lives in 2012. If you’re out having a good time, designate a driver or simply don’t drink till you’re home, that can prevent a death. When it comes to speed, that speed limit exists for a reason, and it isn’t just to be a broken. Exceeding a posted speed limit means you have elected to drive faster than was intended for that road, putting others at risk, all while consuming more fuel. The faster you go, the less reaction time you have and the more skills are necessary to avoid an accident. As the speed climbs, so do braking distances and all other force measures that can lead to catastrophic collisions and rollovers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 2013, speeding was a factor in 29 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths. Sometimes you won’t have time to appropriately react to the unexpected when it appears in your field of vision, follow the speed limit and be especially attentive to the road ahead of you. It’s important to be on alert when you’re driving. Most people behind the wheel are so focused on things that can be put on hold that they aren’t watching what else is going on, it is important to be aware at all time. These are the steps and reminders that people need to take in order to reduce deaths by vehicles.

Expanding off that thought, no one likes to admit they could use some improvement behind the wheel. But the fact is, accidents happen and they happen a lot (over 7 million times in the United States alone in 2016). While you can’t control many of the risks on the road, you can set yourself up to be as safe as possible. The steps that can be taken in order to make someone a better and safer driver can be simply categorized down to forgetting about your phone while driving, buckling up while driving, properly positioning ones hands, and minimizing if not removing all distractions. Forgetting about your phone is one of the most important and in all honesty simplest things you can do to improve the safety of you, your passengers, and others on the road. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving — even when it’s a hands-free phone — is the equivalent of driving drunk and that means if you really want to reduce your risk, it’s best to refrain from talking. And texting is definitely just as hazardous. Sending a text may seem simple, but on average, it causes you to lose your focus on the road for 4.6 seconds. And if that doesn’t sound so bad, consider the fact that you can drive the length of a full football field in that amount of time. Even if you’re fully stopped, just keep your phone out of reach and pay attention to everything going on around you. Buckling up is always a must, your best defense in a crash is your seatbelt, no buts about it. No matter how far you’re driving or whether your passengers are riding in the front or back, every single person in the car should be wearing a seatbelt at all times. Now remember to properly position your hands, remember when your drivers ed teacher insisted you keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions? Believe it or not, that 10 and 2 theory has been debunked. Guidelines have recently changed to instruct drivers to keep hands lower on the wheel, either at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4. The modified grip gives you more stability and control and it’s the most ergonomic option. Lastly, minimize all distractions. Now you know that looking at or talking on your phone shouldn’t be an option while driving. But ideally, eating, drinking, and searching for that perfect playlist shouldn’t be on your list of behind the wheel activities either. Whenever you’re in the driver’s seat, focus all your attention on the task at the hand. Do these things and you are not only doing your part in becoming a safer and better driver, but you are helping others become safer on the road as well.

By allowing yourself to adjust your method of driving you are reinforcing others to become safer drives on the road at the same time. The specific steps in which one can take to help others become safe is keeping your car in good shape, only driving well rested, and maintaining a safe distance from other cars. Keeping your car in good shape does more than we think. Repairs aren’t cheap, but investing in the appropriate maintenance will ensure your vehicle is up to standards in order to keep you safe; make sure you get routine check-ups for your tires, brakes, fluid levels, lights, wipers, and anything else indicated in your owner’s manual. Getting behind the wheel when you’re seriously exhausted is seriously dangerous. Sleep deprivation can have the same effect on your body as drinking alcohol, and as you can imagine, make it incredibly difficult to pay attention and make fast decisions. And according to a 2010 study, one out of every six fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver. Only drive when you’re well rested If you’re tired, find an alternative plan, it’s not worth the risk. Keeping a safe distance, it is never a good idea to get too close to the other cars around you on the road. Maintain a safety cushion around your vehicle so you can see everything going on around you and you have room to act quickly if necessary. These steps are necessary in making it safer for other drivers on the road because they will prevent accidents that may be caused from falling asleep at the wheel, bumper to bumper collisions, and accidents caused my underlying issues that the vehicle has before the driver begins to drive. As a result, you will be safe, and the drivers around you will be safe.

In Conclusion, cars are amazing machines, they provide freedom and comfortable transport, capable of moving a family hundreds of miles with just a tank of gasoline. But, they are essentially Weapons of Mobile Destruction (WMDs) filled with flammable liquid and often your loved ones. Keeping them safe and the ride enjoyable should be paramount for all drivers. Driving in a manner so reckless can often times lead to preventable accidents and in a courtroom these deaths are considered Vehicular Homicides or the Unintentional Manslaughter. Why would you want to serve a sentence or endure years of regret and inflict unimaginable grief on someone when you could simply educate yourself about everything that involves driving? A driver who is educated is crucial to not only reducing the amount of deaths involving vehicles but it will make the highways safer and better places for yourself and for those around you.

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