For a Safer World

I was nine years old when I witnessed my first car accident. My mom and I had just completed a successful shopping trip at the local grocery store. We were stopped at the nearby red light when a red and a black car flew right into each other. I had never before seen my mom move so quickly. She jumped out of our van and ran to the cars, whose hoods were crushed in a manner I did not think possible. Thankfully, there were no major injuries. An older woman was driving too fast and did not stop in time. Since that day, I have seen many accidents on the sides of highways and side streets. However, that first accident has always haunted me.

Every year, thousands of people die due to driving-related deaths. There are a few steps people can take to help reduce this outrageous number. Drivers can have annual check-ups for their cars to ensure their vehicles would not break down in the middle of a busy street and cause an accident. Drivers can reduce distractions by silencing their phones and decreasing the music volume. As long as a driver remains alert while driving, they can keep themselves and the people around them safe. The most effective method to reduce driving-related deaths, however, is driver education.

As a teenager, I am afraid to drive with most of my friends. It is not that they are horrible drivers. They are just inexperienced. Inexperienced drivers can be dangerous in certain situations. They might not understand how to stop a car while hydroplaning or how to change a blown tire. Without this information, they could place themselves and their passengers in danger. For this reason, driver education is vital for anyone wishing to drive.

Driver education teaches students how to deal with the situations noted above and more. Driver education using reading materials and videos teaches students road signs, types of weather they may encounter while on the road, and how to deal with varying circumstances. This type of driver education also warns new drivers of the potential consequences of driving. It accomplishes this by including videos of fatal crash sites and interviews with loved ones of crash victims. I remember watching a newscast of a car crash that took a teenage girl’s life during my online driver education. The jeep was totaled as it sat in a ditch on the side of the road. The late girl’s friends and parents had wet faces as they talked about how much they loved her.

New drivers also have education with real-life experience. They are required to spend time behind the wheel with an experienced driver so they may practice what they learned from their books and videos. One may read a thousand books and watch hundreds of videos, yet they will never fully comprehend their target subject until they experience it for themselves.

Driver education is vital to reduce the number of deaths caused by driving. A driver who knows the technical side of driving – including but not limited to knowing common laws concerning drivers and how to deal with situations one may face while driving – knows the roads. A driver who has practiced driving understands the roads. These drivers who know and understand the roads are safe drivers because they know how to maneuver around obstacles, and therefore can avoid car crashes.

I will be forever thankful that I have not personally been in a car accident. However, the rest of my family has been. My mom was in a fender bender. My dad was hit while taking a left-hand turn on the way to school. My brother and grandmother were once in a crash on their way to pick me up from summer camp. Thankfully, none of my family members sustained serious injuries. I can not say the same for my friends though. One friend’s back has never felt the same. Another’s mom will always have a limp. Others will never see their fathers again. Although I have never been in a car crash, I understand their severity after watching my family and friends suffer.

My brother recently earned his permit. Although I am scared to see him drive, I know he is ready to take this step. My parents and I can help him learn so he can be a safe and responsible driver. We can answer his questions and give him any tips we deem necessary.

Everyone can be a safe driver if they put their minds to it. For example, I can be a safer driver by keeping my phone silent in the back of the car. Then, I would not be tempted to look at it while driving. Furthermore, I can learn more about my vehicle. If my car breaks down, I will know how to repair it.

I hope that others will take the necessary steps to become better and safer drivers, for this subject concerns not one person, but all people of the world. One accident can cause a ripple effect that leaves multiple victims. Only when drivers know and understand the roads and the potential consequences of their actions will the world become a safer place for all.