You, too, Can Save a Life

Each day, when someone sits in a car, they make the choice to put people’s lives in their hands. This choice holds extreme responsibility and can go two ways, bad or good. Decisions made when driving can turn into life and death in a matter of seconds, and no one ever expects it. As drivers, people should make the choice to be safe, abide by the laws, and do all they can to protect themselves and those around them.

It is no secret that fatal car accidents occur every day, therefore driver’s education is something of extreme importance. Statistically speaking, those who participate in driver’s education are less likely to die in a fatal accident. According to Duane Shell and Ian Newman, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, fewer teens have been the cause of a fatal car accident when they have taken driver’s education versus when they have not. These researchers have estimated that 2.1 percent of driving-related deaths were caused by people who have been enrolled in a driver’s education course, whereas 2.6 percent of deaths were caused by those who have not participated in one of these courses. The results may seem small in difference, but the price of life does not have a number. Those who take driver’s education courses are often less likely to crash as a driver on their own because they are required to learn safe driving, good judgment, and common sense when they are first learning how to drive. Students are forced to be safe, make good choices, and abide by the law by the instructor, whereas the rules are just encouraged by parents where driver’s education is not required. These rules that are simply encouraged in some states are deeply taught and monitored in other states. Teaching teenagers to drive safely through driver’s education can save lives.

There are many ways that the number of deaths related to driving can be minimized. To begin, always be sure that all passengers are buckled, have a designated driver assigned in case of unexpected actions, remain focused on the road rather than phones or the radio, and pay attention to all surroundings. Each of these steps ensures that all will be safe may something unfortunate happen. There are also things that should not be done while driving. Drivers should never get behind the wheel if intoxicated or using drugs, never speed, no matter how late you are, never determine safe driving based solely on road signs, never overestimate your ability to multitask, and never fall prey to the belief that it can never happen to you. These thoughts are consistent with a 360-degree mindset that keeps drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe at all times.

Though I have never been involved in a car accident, I am not immune to irresponsibility on the road. Irresponsible driving is around me all the time because of careless acquaintances. The common thought is something bad could never happen to us, therefore driving carelessly, disobeying road signs, speeding, swerving on purpose, and texting and driving are frequent practices. Many student drivers around me put countless lives in danger because of their actions. This mindset that is held and the actions that are used could be the reason that a dangerous, or even fatal car accident occurs.

As a teen driver, I know the risks that come with irresponsible driving. It can be seen all around me, and although I cannot change the actions of everyone, I am more than capable of making sure that my actions are within the law and are safe. I can encourage safe driving and explain the dangers to my peers to help reduce the number of irresponsible drivers. I can remember that my driving also needs to be safe and within the law. If I know that the people around me are unsafe drivers, I can offer myself as the assigned driver. There are many steps related to things and people around me that I can take in order to help keep people safe. When at a party, I can encourage people to put their keys in a safe space so they do not drive while intoxicated, while in a busy area, I can encourage someone to not be on their phone or change the radio, if I notice speeding, I can remind them of the law and encourage them to slow down. There are many efforts that I can make to save lives, and although I cannot change the minds of everyone, I can still do my part and change some because even a small impact could save a life.