Behind the Wheel: Stop Distracted Driving

Driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving needs to be emphasized as quickly as possible. Drivers of all ages, race, and gender are unaware of the increasing and alarming rates of death as a result of distracted driving. How can a problem be fixed if many are not aware of it? However, in order for driver education to be effective in reducing the number of deaths, the education curriculum and instructors need to teach the material in a way that can capture students of all ages. While lecture is one of the most popular methods, research has found that the learning methods varies on the material. Each student learns differently and adults have an average attention of twenty minutes. While it may take some practice and may not be ideal, the most effective thing to do is to switch activates after twenty minutes. Other methods and activities that instructors can use include videos, books, and games. An instructor can demonstrate topics and can bring in speakers. An example of an activity could be drunk googles. The use of drunk googles can show students what it would be like to be impaired. While using the googles, the students can see what damage can be done and why this is one of the many things that are increasing the number of deaths. An instructor could most likely find simulations for other tasks such as texting while driving. It is all about being creative. The more creative an instructor is, the more the good word spreads about the class, and the instructor can increase attendance. Increased attendance means increased awareness and education. This would increase retention of information which is crucial because a reduction in the number of deaths will be only occur if the information is not falling upon deaf ears or going in one and coming out the other. 

I think the biggest step to take is increase education and awareness of the number of deaths while driving. It will not be enough to stress the statistics as many are bored by them or will not believe them. Many drivers need real life examples and horror stories to understand the gravity of the situation. It is importance to stress that it is your actions that can cause drastic, horrific consequences. Otherwise, not much can be done. Some have to have a family member or friend become part of the number of deaths by driving to change. Others may have experienced an accident to believe it. Since no one in the world can control what a driver thinks or does, education is vital. Education and increased awareness can change a person’s actions or thought and reduce the number of deaths drastically because you never know how many people may die as a result of an accident.  

Personally, I have never been in a car accident, a fact I am grateful for. I can say the same for my family. On the other hand, a friend of mine was involved in a serious accident that almost killed the four people in the car. My friend was a passenger in the car. The driver was driving too fast down a dark, windy, country road. They begged the driver to slow down and the driver kept going fast. They reached a speed of over 100 miles per hour. The driver eventually lost control of the car. They flipped and the car went in so many directors before stopping. The car stopped when coming into contact with a telephone pole. The telephone pole, luckily, did not break. The car caught fire. My friend remembers crawling out of the car and being on fire. Her best friend had burns covering most of her body. The driver did not suffer much injury. The third passenger along with my friend came out with a few burns and bruises. The best friend spent months in a hospital and burn clinic and was put into a medically induced coma. I witnessed the whole accident as I was following the driver to pick up my friend. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I grateful they all came out alive and want to educate others because I cannot imagine something like this happening to myself or others. 

I will admit, even after witnessing that horrific accident, I am not the perfect driver. Every day, I work toward that goal, especially with my twin sister just starting to drive. I do not want her to get into bad driving habits and end up like the people above, or worse, become on the many deaths as a result of driving. Every time I get into the car with her, I remind her to turn on her blinker, check her mirrors, never text, etc. I remind her of the horrible things I saw my friend go through. Luckily, she has taken it upon herself to continue her driving education and build amazing habits. She is not afraid to educate others on the safety of driving and point out what they could be doing better. When it comes to others, I do not go as far to tell them to turn on their blinkers, etc. I will if they do not because of the importance of one’s actions as they drive. I continue to tell the story of the accident I witnessed in hopes that it will be passed on. I am always recommended my younger friends to go to drivers ed classes. I will teach my kids everything they know. I am going to school for education and even though I will teach students who are not driving age, I will prepare them to be safe drivers if I can when it is appropriate to. It will depend on what I am teaching and what resources I use. What many do not realize is that a great teacher is one that goes above and beyond in the classroom by teaching the next generation more than the curriculum they need to know. A great teacher prepares them for life and tries to make the world a better place. I look forward to continuing to do this and see what others ways and opportunities come my way in the future. With those other ways and opportunities, I can increase the knowledge of deaths by driving and do my part to reduce the number as the years go by.