Safe Driving Is Mandatory

In today’s world driving is considered a right, but in fact as I have found out it is a big privilege and one with many consequences. Fatalities due to driving rose from 105 in 1995 to 181 in 1999 by now the total will be almost 250 deaths in one year. That is almost one person a day. Drivers must have a lot of maturity in order to accept the enormous responsibility of having a license. In order to operate a car one must take responsibility for their car, their passengers, pedestrians, and themselves. Driving is something that can only be done by mature, responsible individuals. Safe driving consists of obeying all traffic laws, always being aware, and never taking your eyes off the road. I now know the consequences of only a split second head turn can turn into one of the worst experiences of my life. I received many consequences because of my carelessness. My parents took my license, my car was damaged severely, and trust was lost between my parents and I.

People who think driving is a right are extremely mistaken. Driving is one of the biggest privileges in a person’s life. Driving allows a person to travel to any place that they want to. Although driving may be a right to some people, it does not mean that everybody deserves a license. There are many grown adults who do not deserve a license because it is just abused by them. People who deserve a license should be very qualified and be thought of as very privileged to have a license to a deadly weapon. Almost 200 people die each year from road related tragedies. Since driving is so dangerous it could only be described as a privilege from your state.

Drivers must be very mature in order to drive. When an immature person gets behind the wheel it is unpredictable about what will happen while that person is driving. Immature drivers would not be able to recognize dangerous situations that always happen while driving. Immature drivers would most likely panic and freeze or make a move that could worsen the situation.Teens need to be taught that driving is a task that is complex and demanding. Parents know how much experience a young driver has, and they know exactly how inconvenient it is when they have to drive with their teen everywhere while they have their permit. Teens tend to cause most traffic accidents in adults’ eyes. They are not experienced yet, and often fail to pay attention to others on the road. As a teenager I notice how often my peers think of a car as being some type of toy, but they do not know how powerful it really is.

One of many factors in remaining safe on the roads is the ability to control your emotions and your stress. Some driver’s do not know how to deal with stress. This emotion can hinder the ability to drive safely and ensure safety on the roads. If you encounter a vehicle that is driving recklessly, and constantly following too closely, the best thing to do to avoid a confrontation is to reduce speed and allow him to overtake your vehicle. Do not provoke the driver, just let them pass.

Accidents are avoidable, all it takes is to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what you are doing. Cell phones, radios and newspapers are common distractions while in a motor vehicle. If you must use a mobile device ensure that you have a hands free accessory for it. If not, pull over and make your call. Never try to understand or navigate a map while operating a vehicle. This can cause you to commit a traffic violation, or even injure a pedestrian.

There is a rule of thumb that can help keep a safe following distance while traveling the roads. It is called the “Two Second Rule”. Following a vehicle too closely is called “tailgating.” Use the two-second rule to determine a safe following distance. Select a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead of you passed the object, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.” You should not reach the object before you count to one-thousand-two. If you do, you are following too closely. Most rear end collisions are caused by the vehicle in back following too closely. I personally am vigilant of how closely I am following the vehicle in front of me.

Driving is a serious task, not to be taken lightly, and once the world realizes the importance of safe driving we will be able to avoid many deaths.