Driving: How to Stop Constant Deaths

“Three people have died in a car crash tonight due to a driver driving being under the influence.” “On your way to work, there’s been several car crashes, so traffic will be backed up for an hour.” “Five people have died today due to an enraged driver.” Everyday we hear incidents related to these, but how do we stop it? How can we make sure everyone can be a safe driver? Whether you’re a sixteen year old who just got their license or a fifty year old who’s been driving for over thirty years, we all play a part in being a safe driver.

I believe the importance of driver education is vital if we want to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Driver education is where most students actually start learning the laws, guidelines, consequences of dismissing them, and what students need to do in order to pass the permit test, which eventually leads to maintaining a license. I believe the goal of an educator should be to make driver education as realistic, essential, and not just “another class” a student needs to graduate. If students have a boring, monotone teacher or one that shows no interest in driver education, then students will check out from the start. We all want teenagers (including myself) to actually pay attention, so we have a higher chance of practicing safe driving. Educators can accomplish this if they draw students in from the start, and make teenagers realize how much driving will affect their life. Also, teenagers can be shown the effects of driving under influence, speeding, texting, or doing anything other than concentrating on driving. Teachers can play videos, bring in people, or have stories shared about it to create an impact that stays with students. Finally, educators can answer any questions or concerns students may have. This allows students to feel they are being heard and may create A teacher never knows what a student may have gone through with experiences related to driving.

There are many ways to reduce the number of deaths due to driving, but the most important way to have a more enforced and rigid driver education system. For example, at the end of each unit, there can be a test or project a student must do in order to demonstrate their knowledge. If a student shows a lack of mastery or shows a lack of participation, the teacher should fail the student and make them do the unit again. The idea is harsh, but we need people to pay attention and master the knowledge in driver education, or it may lead to a mistake that can’t be taken back. Also, there should be a greater practice of education with a parent or experienced driver before a teenager is allowed on the road. Many teenagers head straight on the roads without any practice, which can lead to a misjudgement and anxiety that can prove to be fatal. Finally, we should try to keep new drivers off the interstate because there are high speeds, constant weaving, and a new driver doesn’t have the experience to handle that level of skill. Additionally, roads can have more speed traps, sheriffs, and stoplight cameras. Also, educators can encourage new drivers to put on a new driver sticker. Teenagers aren’t the only ones who can be better drivers, but adults can as well. For example, when they see a new driver sticker, they should be more mindful about their driving. Drivers can give a greater following distance, have more patience, and slow down. Also, both parties can have an increased awareness of no phone usage. Whether it’s viewing social media or sending a quick text message to a loved one, driver’s shouldn’t be on their phone while driving. A way to decrease phone usage is to have drivers download an app that can save on their insurance. For example, my family has downloaded USAA Safepilot on all our phones, and it tracks our phone usage. If any of us make a phone call or go on our phones at all while driving, the driving score goes down. If all of our scores are great, then my parents can save up to 30% on the insurance bill. I believe this goes to show how anyone can work on becoming a better driver, and how it pays off in the long run.

I’ve thankfully never been in a car accident nor have I seen my parents drive irresponsibly, which is a big reason why I can be a safe driver. Teengers (including me) implement their parents driving habits whether they mean to or not. However, I have seen some of my friends drive irresponsibly. The two main aspects related to it are speeding and being on their phone. While there may be an adrenaline rush or feeling of adventure, at the end of the day, it is dangerous. There have been times

where my friends have needed to abruptly break, almost or have hit a curb, and have exhausted their tires. I hope to not be like them, and hope they can benefit from this essay.

I can spread awareness to my friends and community about the seriousness of their carefree antics, take their phones while they’re driving, demonstrate safe driving habits myself, and encourage them to ask further questions or do research on questions they can’t answer. Also, I can encourage them to have the least amount of distractions in their car as possible. However, I can become better as well. I have a bad habit of leaving at the last minute, so I can start leaving earlier. I can continue to have USAA Safepoint on my phone, take passengers who aren’t going to distract me, not have loud music playing on the radio, adjust speed to the weather, and just continue to drive. One of the best ways to get better at driving is to drive as much as possible because experience builds good and confident driving habits.