Always Drive Safe

People say that driving a car is like handling a loaded weapon. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Like a weapon, these two-ton metal machines can instantly do fatal damage, even in low-speed crashes. Yet, people don’t seem to take them as seriously. In 2020 alone, there were approximately 35,766 fatal motor crashes in the United States. That’s close to 100 crashes per day. These statistics are not hidden figures. Driving schools emphasize these numbers and urge drivers to be safe. The problem here is that the number of teens getting their license that have attended a driver’s ed course or any equivalent is dropping, and most states don’t require a formal driving education.

Not to say that mom and dad’s driving school isn’t teaching kids well, but there is a disconnect between the safety of those who have formal education and those who do not. I am not biased against people who learn from their parents because I also learned to drive from my father. However, I took studying my state laws seriously and found that many of my peers did not do the same. They took time to learn basic road signs and how to parallel park, not the statistics of accidents and how to prevent them actively. Unfortunately, I’ve had to see multiple friends and schoolmates get into crashes, and some become seriously or fatally injured. That is why I believe all young drivers need to know the importance of getting behind the wheel. Whether it’s a dad teaching you or a certified instructor, all kids need to take the time to learn thoroughly about the possible consequences of their driving.

Through my few years of driving, I have learned many ways to stay safe. No matter the excuses people may come up with, always buckle up. Even if the drive is only 5 minutes. Even if that particular road is always empty. Even if you’ve taken that path a million times. Accidents can occur under any circumstances, so it is always best to protect yourself by wearing a seatbelt. Also, limit the number of distractions you face. That text message on your phone may seem important enough to glance at while you’re driving, but that glance can cost you your life. Securing objects in the car can also limit distractions. I cannot even count how often I’ve had to stop to grab my phone off the floor or hold a bag still in the passenger seat. These were all minor distractions that could end badly if I had attempted to take care of them while driving. Finally, don’t assume you will never get into a car crash. Even the most cautious drivers can get into an accident because it’s not always your fault. Being aware of your surroundings can minimize the chance of an accident occurring.

Even I have fallen victim to the assumption that I would never be in an accident because I was a cautious driver. I recently got into a minor accident that wasn’t even my fault. A car swerved around the corner and right into the side of my car. That’s not something I could’ve anticipated, and I didn’t have the time to move out of the way. Yet it still occurred, and minor accidents like those can happen to anyone. And although I have never been in an accident with a friend or family member, I have witnessed their irresponsible driving. Experienced drivers tend to assume they have experienced enough to avoid a crash. They often roll through stop signs or go a bit over the speed limit and believe their actions are acceptable due to their confidence in their driving. These errors that they make can still cause accidents. That roll through a stop sign can give another driver enough time to think they can cross the intersection, resulting in a crash. That slight speeding can make it harder for the driver to stop in time, resulting in a collision. More experienced drivers should realize that their experience does not disqualify them from getting into an accident. Their confidence can only heighten recklessness and increase the chances of crashing.

To be a better driver, I keep my phone off and face down to ensure I don’t look at it while driving. I also secure bags and other objects to limit distractions. I practice safe driving techniques like always using my seatbelt, utilizing turn signals, and paying attention to road signs. I am very quick to help friends and family drive better by correcting them when they make mistakes. Although sometimes I have to be that annoying back seat driver, I see my comments do make immediate changes to their driving. I can also offer to cover any distractions such as a GPS or changing the music to ensure they are driving safely. When I’m not actively correcting them, I can share statistics and experiences to encourage them to continue safe driving practices. To promote safe driving across the U.S., I believe more states should not only require formal driving education but should make it accessible by lowering costs or making it free while having it available in schools. I believe that when teenagers take that test for their license, the DMV should test them in statistics along with road signs and safe driving habits to increase their chance of retaining this information.