The Consequences of Reckless Driving

American cities are more sprawling and developed than ever before. While some U.S. cities offer public transit to help people get across town to their job, school, or a social event, most cities require citizens to have an automobile. And this has led us to a serious issue that demands our attention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were an estimated 42,915 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2021, an increase of around 10% from 2020. In fact, the number of motor vehicle deaths has been steadily increasing for as long as we have had cars in our lives. This essay addresses the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths that are caused by driving, shares the personal experiences of people in my own life who were negatively affected by irresponsible driving, and offers steps that every driver can take to make our roads safer for all.

Driver education is extremely important in reducing the number of deaths caused by driving because it helps to inform newer – and remind experienced – drivers about the dangers of driving. Without the educational classes for driving (ex: Driver’s ED), new and inexperienced drivers are at a high risk of getting into accidents, garnering higher chances of getting themselves or potentially other people killed. While some people disregard these educational courses, knowing the material provided in said courses helps to decrease the high potential of getting into a crash, thus keeping people safe and marking driver education as a very important and highly valued asset in the world of driving.

Secondly, I have been extremely lucky to have avoided car accidents thus far. However, two friends of mine have suffered due to irresponsible actions behind the wheel. The first event was actually the fault of my friend, who totaled her car when she became distracted by fixing her bluetooth. She was driving her brother to school one morning, and it only took a second of looking down at her device, when all of a sudden she heard him shout, “Watch out!” She had just enough time to slam on the brakes and minimize the collision, yet not all was in the clear. She totaled her own car, yet there was no damage to the other car because his trailer hitch pierced her radiator. As a result, her car had to be towed from the side of the road. She later bought a new car because the damage was too severe. Thankfully, she and her brother were immensely lucky to come out unscathed but not without being completely shaken by the event. This affected her in other detrimental ways. She was forced to buy another car at a time when she was financially struggling, and her parents implemented strict rules dictating how and when she could use her new car. Another dear friend of mine was not so lucky. He was riding as a passenger with his grandfather when someone came through a red light and T-boned their vehicle. Fortunately, both survived but suffered bruising, and my friend was left with internal bleeding. Today, he is still traumatized when he gets in a car, fearing a repeat of the unforeseen incident.

Lastly, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are many steps drivers can take to make the road a safer place for everyone. First, texting is one of the most dangerous things you can do when driving because it leads to the three types of distraction: visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), and cognitive (thinking about other things). One way that we can combat the temptation to look at and answer texts while driving is to always place your device in a safe spot out of sight, such as a personal bag, the central compartment, or the glove box. Another tip is to always turn the ringer off (or use Do Not Disturb/Driving Mode) so that you are not made aware of any notifications while on the road. Doing this will make a driver more successful in avoiding a crash. Another problem facing drivers today is fatigue. People are busier than ever, but it is crucial to never drive when you are tired. Again, the FLHSMV states that drowsy driving can lead to slow reaction time, affected judgment and vision, impaired abilities, and cause nodding off. There are many steps you can take to avoid drowsy driving, such as: getting enough rest before a trip, knowing the effects of your medications, using a buddy system, and stopping at rest stops if you find yourself getting sleepy. Other important steps we can take to make the roads safer are: don’t drive when intoxicated, don’t drive when you’re using medication that can risk your cognitive functions to slow down, don’t drive if you’re in a fragile emotional state, don’t drive if you’re not comfortable being alone or being with an untrusted passenger, use extreme caution when driving in inclement weather conditions, always obey the speed limit, be aware and courteous to pedestrians, and always wear and encourage others to wear a seat belt. Along with this, you can always carpool because carpooling will help keep less cars on the road (making it safer for pedestrians) and it is also safer for the environment and is cheaper than driving separately.

As dangerous as American roads can be, we can all be agents of safety and reduce the dangers. So long as we follow the expert-approved steps that we learn from driver’s education, we can ensure that people around us, as well as ourselves, are protected regardless of the possible risks involved. Had my friend not glanced at her bluetooth, she could have avoided an accident that nearly took her and her brother’s lives. If not for her brother’s implementation of driver’s education and alertness, who knows what may have happened that day. As for my other friend, there will be lifelong trauma. While there is always a chance that another driver makes the same mistakes that impacted him, we can go out of our way to maintain the highest awareness behind the wheel and in the passenger seat to reduce similar accidents and keep everyone safe.