Self-awareness behind the wheel

One Tuesday afternoon my father was driving home, he was approaching a yellow light at a four-way intersection so he slowly came to a stop. As soon as his foot hit the brake, a car turned to its left and hit my father’s car head-on. Luckily everyone involved was okay except for the car, the tip of the hood was nonexistent and one headlight caved into the car. The young girl who hit my father’s car explained she wasn’t paying attention to the traffic lights and assumed she could turn because she was texting while driving.

In the United States, the leading cause of car accidents is distracted driving, the National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while behind the wheel leads to 1.6 million crashes a year. Using a cell phone while driving displays a lack of drivers ed; being knowledgeable about drivers’ education before getting behind the wheel is crucial and has an everlasting impact on the number of driving deaths. Having a drivers ed allows someone to be aware of all rules of the road along with how to react in certain situations, which inevitably results in fewer car accidents and deaths.

To reduce the number of deaths on the road we need to take steps toward self-awareness. This means we all need to self reflect and realize that driving is a privilege, not a right; don’t abuse your power by breaking the rules of drivers ed. We need to not take driving for granted, it can affect not only us as individuals but also everyone around us. All it takes is a simple talk with yourself while inserting the keys into the ignition or putting on your seatbelt. If everyone self reflects and truly analyzes the importance of their privilege I believe the roads would be a safer place.

Steps that I can take to be a better driver would be making sure I have a drivers ed and I know the significance of my actions. My drivers ed rules and regulations will be used each time I drive and will be my primary motivation for actions taken, which results in me being a safe driver. Also, I will know the significance of my actions, along with how they can change not only my life but the lives of others. These two steps I’m taking to be a safer driver helps others because it allows a safer environment for everyone around me, which will cause fewer car accidents and deaths overall. No one is too small to make a difference; with one step at a time we can all become safer drivers and save lives.

https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html#:~:text=The%20National%20Safety%20Council%20reports,caused%20by%20texting%20and%20driving.