The Importance of Driving Safely

Jason Davis

December 30, 2021

The Importance of Driving Safety

Reckless driving has been a recurring issue ever since automobiles were invented. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, car accidents occur every 60 seconds. That is equivalent to 5.25 million accidents across the nation on a yearly basis. 1.35 million of those crashes result in death which approximates to 3,700 deaths per day. A majority think maybe it is a problem in our driver education system, however, some people seem to think reckless driving is the effect of carelessness in individuals that unfortunately cannot be changed.

Driver education is one of the most important key factors in one’s goal to achieve a license. Our understanding of how the road works shapes us into the drivers we are today. Even though the number of deaths in America that are caused by car crashes is still high, it would be a lot more if driver education was not accessible. Our driving instructors teach us the basics. They teach us how to read road signs, how to operate our vehicles, how to control our vehicles in emergency situations, etc. However, understanding the road doesn’t stop there. We get a better understanding of the road at a young age when we learn on a first-hand basis. After our instructors teach us everything we need to know, we can proceed to driving on our own and applying the information we learn. All of these are necessary to be a successful driver. Imagine a world where no one had to take a driving class. Imagine how many deaths would be caused by that.

I have been in both positions of being in a car accident personally and seeing my friends be in accidents as well. It is a scary experience in both perspectives not knowing for certain if you or someone you love will be okay. That is why I feel it is important to understand the rules of the road at a maximum. It is not fair to your own or even another driver’s life to be driving irresponsibly. You could hurt yourself and someone else if you happen to cause an accident. That’s why I also feel doing your own research can make your understanding better as well.

A great number of car accidents that result in death usually happen when someone is driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Each day, about 28 people in America die in drunk driving car crashes. The number of fatal accidents in a year would go down if a significant amount of drunk driving was avoided. You can reduce these risks by making sure you have a friend as a designated driver to drive you home safely. It is also in your best interest if you could avoid drinking to a point where it affects how your designated driver is on the road. A second step you could take to decrease the chance of an accident is to conduct daily checkups on your vehicle. Checking up on the vehicle you drive helps you to know if anything is wrong or if it could affect you on the road. Also, you want to make sure your brake lights, headlights, turn signals, windshield wipers, etc. are functioning correctly.

Another cause of reckless driving is that usually after younger teens take their necessary driver’s course and earn their license, they might not take careful consideration as much as they did when they first started. Some people drive in a careless way that usually does not get resolved unless they get into a life-changing accident later on or maybe even pulled over numerous times. However, this is not guaranteed. If your family or friends drive on the road recklessly it is your responsibility to speak with them about how this can truly affect them and the people around them. It is important to show someone the effects that car crashes have on individuals that survive them and how forceful they are to your body. It is also your responsibility to keep a friend from driving while intoxicated and to make sure there is always a designated driver in your friend group. A good driver also takes accountability for their actions and tries to refrain from road rage.

Ever since I began driving, I have taken my own steps into becoming a better driver. I learn from my mistakes and even practice on my own time. Even when you have been driving for numerous years, it is in your best interest if you practice driving just as if you were still with an instructor. Driving safety will always be an important part of our early education and the way you drive reflects how you are as an individual.