Being in Control

The first time I sat down in the driver’s seat behind the wheel, I was terrified. I spent my whole life sitting in the passenger seat, and suddenly I was the one in control. There were so many aspects to focus on, and so many things that could go wrong. One small distraction off of the road can lead to a dangerous, sometimes even fatal, accident. From the age of 15, my father began teaching me how to drive and what traffic laws I need to follow. While my parents have always been responsible drivers, I have many family members who were never taught the proper rules of the road or who don’t see the true danger that comes from practicing unsafe driving. My aunt, for example, has gotten into many car accidents that have left her car practically crushed, most of the time from speeding. Now, as a recently fully licensed driver, I fear ever being in a car accident from me being in the driver’s seat. When I drive, I won’t be the only one who will experience the consequences. It will be the lives of my passengers and everyone on the road in my hands.

Driving has become such a common practice in our daily lives that the average person doesn’t fully grasp the dangers of driving. It is estimated that about 1.25 million people die from car crashes annually, which is about 3,287 deaths daily worldwide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 13 car accidents occur every minute. Additionally, around 20 to 50 million people become injured or disabled every year from car accidents. From 2020 to 2021, pedestrian deaths rose by about 13 percent. These deaths could’ve been prevented if all drivers were given proper driving education before receiving their licenses. Driver education is a crucial part of forming safe and responsible driving habits. A study in 2015 from the University of Nebraska found that teens who did not receive a driver’s education were 16 percent more likely to get into an accident, 24 percent more likely to get into a fatal accident, and 75 percent more likely to receive a traffic ticket/violation. Driver’s ed courses are designed to teach young drivers about traffic safety, attitudes to have on the road, and the dangers of distracted driving. Considering that a person’s brain doesn’t fully develop until the age of 25, it’s important to teach teens about proper decision-making skills while driving. Instilling these skills in young teens will help create positive habits while driving and will make the roads a lot safer for everyone.

Even simple actions can save your life. Buckling in your seat belt once you get into the car might not seem like a life-saving action, but it can make a drastic impact on your life. In about 23 percent of fatal car crashes, the person was ejected from the vehicle. In 2022, about 46 percent of drivers and 47 percent of passengers involved in a deadly collision were not buckled up. All of this could’ve been avoided by simply buckling the seat belt. Another simple action to prevent a fatal car crash is to avoid speeding. Speeding has become a very common practice among drivers today. A survey found that 42 percent of those don’t consider going 10 miles over the speed limit as speeding and another 10 percent said they don’t consider going 20 miles over the speed limit as speeding. National data shows that even a 10 mph speed increase ups the risk of crashing by 9.1 percent. In 2022, speeding was a factor in a total of 29 percent of all deadly car accidents, along with 31 percent of teen driving fatalities in 2018.

In addition to steps drivers can take personally to reduce accidents on the road, there are additions that can be made to the road itself to improve the safety of drivers. Planners, engineers, health professionals, and law enforcement officers should receive an education on road safety to ensure the smooth operation and development of public roads. It’s important to raise awareness of driver safety as it has proven to reduce crashes by 10 percent. There are multiple street designs that are very effective at reducing fatal crashes and significantly improving driver safety. An example would be roundabouts which are effective at reducing traffic speeds at intersections. Roundabouts are practical because they force drivers to slow down while entering. Another common street design that improves road safety is speed bumps. Speed bumps are regularly placed in neighborhood areas that require drivers to drive at slower speeds. Studies have shown that speed bumps can lower speeds by nearly 10 miles per hour. Another lesser-known street design that is used to lower speeds and improve road safety is chicanes. Chicanes are narrower roads that encourage safer driving and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street by having the drivers lower their speeds.

Driver’s safety begins with you and me. As a person fully in control whenever I sit behind the wheel, I take on full responsibility for myself, my passengers, and everyone on the road I share with. When I am old enough to legally drink, I must always avoid driving while intoxicated. 35 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred due to drunk driving in 2022. The CDC reports that one out of three traffic fatalities in the US involves a drunk driver. The responsible course of action would be to avoid driving and call a cab. The money spent on a cab is significantly less than it would be getting arrested for DUI, getting into an accident, or worse, losing your life. The chance of getting involved in a crash also increases when the driver multitasks. Multitasking fatigues the brain as it requires constant back-and-forth focus between tasks. I avoid multitasking while driving because my main focus should be on the road. One small distraction can result in a major crash. Also, I always make sure everyone is buckled up. The CDC states that buckling up reduces injury and death by 50 percent. Personally, I received a driver’s education, and I was taught about the importance of taking these precautions when behind the wheel. Control over my life and the life of others falls on myself and everyone driving alongside me on the road. Greater safety while driving begins with the individual.