The Driving Factors Behind Automobile Related Accidents And How To Reduce Them

As I write this on March 28th 2023 my hometown of San Jose is reeling from a hit and run accident which has left a mother and dog dead. At the age of 13 a child has been left without a parent and the life of a reckless driver has changed forever. When looking at every war in which America has been involved since its inception, we see 1.3 million Americans killed as a result. When looking at every American car fatality in just the past 100 years, we see over 3 million Americans killed. Car accidents continue to lead the way as the number 1 threat to America’s safety, dwarfing overdoses, firearms, and yes even tiktok. If the United States is to see a major reduction in car related injuries and fatalities we all must recommit to the teaching, understanding, and regular practice of driver’s education and safety training.

Beginning with the most basic and effective of reforms, mandating drivers education in schools. In my state of California, budget cuts in 1990 caused the state to withhold funding for drivers education classes that were mandatory throughout public high schools in the state. The classes had DMV certified instructors come in as teachers and teach every student of driving age the basics of traffic law, the importance of safety, along more advanced topics like defensive driving and vehicle maintenance with students being tested and graded. Since California High schools have stopped providing this option it’s no surprise that Statista finds in 2021 that California leads the nation in vehicle fatalities. In my own experience, driver’s education in this state is limited to a 15 dollar online course that can easily be cheated on and passed without the user gaining any sort of proper knowledge. The result is thousands of new drivers with little to no lasting knowledge of the core driving fundamentals. In the status quo there are 13 states that don’t require drivers ed at all. Our first big step should be to bring drivers ed and the crucial information it provides into every school in America and make it a graduation requirement.

With such high rates of car related accidents the majority of Americans know someone who has been in a crash. I am no exception. My cousin Jonathan is almost in his early 30s and has a loving wife, 6 beautiful children, and has built a successful life for himself. 13 years ago Jonathan’s future was almost terminated when he went flying off the highway and hit a tree going 80 mph all the result of him trying to race someone else. I remember the stories of how it knocked him clean out and how miraculous it was that he wasn’t seriously injured or killed. Looking back I can’t imagine how different my life would have been if that accident had been fatal. Half of my cousins wouldn’t exist and my family would be destroyed from grief. What many drivers fail to realize behind the wheel is that their actions have potentially gut wrenching impacts on hundreds of people. My driving experience involved being raised with such lessons and stories so that when it was finally my turn to get behind the wheel, I made it a point to keep myself alert and ever conscious of my surroundings. I would have practiced things like driving without music for the first 6 months, getting a larger rear view mirror, and putting my phone in the backseat so as to avoid distractions. All of which have made me a better driver.

As many precautions as we take when driving there is always room for improvement. Personally, as I have had my license for over a year I have begun to get comfortable doing things I shouldn’t behind the wheel. Things like going on my phone to change the song thats playing or calling my friends while driving. I am going to change these habits by turning off my phone while driving for short trips, as it only takes a second of distraction to cause a lifetime of negative consequences. I am also at a time in my life where I can lead by example. My younger sister is recently of driving age and my parents have put me in charge of teaching her the basics, and being her mentor on the road. By giving my sister what it takes to be a safe and responsible driver, I am hopeful that her driving skills will positively impact her friends as they all learn from my sister’s example.

In summary driving is a wonderful privilege that can bring newfound freedom and convenience to an individual. However, with privileges comes responsibility and it is our responsibility as drivers to be aware of our conduct at all times. By recommitting to the teaching of drivers education nationwide and setting a positive example for upcoming drivers, I am confident we as a nation can make our roads a safer place.