The Power behind the Wheel

Driver education plays an immensely vital role in decreasing the number of deaths related to driving. By nature, all organisms are flawed as we all make mistakes every so often, even us humans on the road. There’s nothing wrong with being imperfect, but none can deny that these mistakes can be fatal when one messes up at the wrong time and place. Specifically, we tend to forget about the small things about driving and just remember what is needed to pass our driving test. Though we gloat about finally having that driver’s license, we don’t realize that we haven’t truly passed that driver’s test until we face the repercussions. Ignorance to regulation is one of the major causes of car crashes. The less people are properly educated on the rules of driving, intended to ensure the safety of drivers, the more danger those drivers put themselves in. Along with ignorance to driving rules, driving under the influence and distracted driving are other major causes of car accidents. However, there are different ways our society, as a whole, can minimize this global issue, which endangers drivers on the road everyday.

Moreover, one step that can be taken to decrease the overall number of fatalities by car accidents is for all drivers to be required to review all rules every so often. This step can help to reduce car accidents due to poor understanding of the rules of the road. In all honesty, an annual driving exam or a test that requires a high score to pass would be irritating to many people. With those complaints in mind, this method would be done regularly, but also reasonably to satisfy the majority of drivers and effectively reduce the rate of car accidents. The tests would be around every two to four years and one would have to score an eighty percent to pass. If one fails to pass the test by a deadline, their license would be suspended until they pass the government funded test. Another step that should be taken to reduce accidents due to distractions is for better policing and punishments on distracted drivers. It is very common for drivers to be distracted by their handheld devices, food, beverages, etc. Though it will be challenging to catch most of it, police officers can be more attentive to drivers that aren’t completely focused on the road when driving. Along with this, the judicial systems of all states and even the Supreme Court should be more strict when it comes to distracted driving in order to intimidate those who may attempt distracted driving and prevent repeat offending. One more step that can be taken to reduce driving under the influence is to better advertise and encourage transportation services like Uber and taxis when under the influence. This will better spread awareness of the options that are available for those who are temporarily incapable of driving safely. Asking for rides from loved ones should also be promoted for the same reason, in addition to the option being more comfortable for the majority of individuals.

Furthermore, I have an experience that supports the significance of responsible driving. One summer morning, my family was preparing to attend a social gathering at a local park. We were running late so my father got what he could as fast as possible and left the house with my siblings and I. When he began to drive, he was on the phone with his friend who was already at the park. My father was talking about how late he was, laughing with his friend while still in a rush to get to the park. His mind was focused less on the road and more on his destination, along with his conversation with his friend. When the first traffic stop came he turned on red,

since the sign on his right clearly indicated that the maneuver was allowed. He failed to see a car driving through the intersection that would prohibit a turn on red. In the end, he accidentally hit the car approaching, but thankfully no one was injured. Soon after, both went off road to review and discuss the cost of the damages. Essentially, I learned that one must have their full attention on the process of driving, not their destination or any other unrelated factors. The consequences, financial and physical, aren’t always as minor as the ones we went through in my recollection.

Nevertheless, there are still personal steps that we can take to improve our safety on the road. As stated previously, we do tend to forget about certain rules of the road, so it would be helpful to all of us to recap some of the rules of the road once in a while. The time between each review can be whatever is comfortable, but we must make sure that the reviews are genuinely beneficial and consistent. An additional step that can be taken is to always focus on the road and nothing else. Focusing on anything other than the road will not help us get to where we need to go in one piece. One more step that must be taken is to take it upon ourselves to drive only when we are able. This doesn’t just apply to being under the influence of alcohol, but also being under the influence of other drugs that significantly affect one’s driving ability, being sleep deprived, etc. Violating this step is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, as the previously mentioned steps.

Last but not least, our safety is the number one priority, so as said many times in human history: please drive safe and smart. If you haven’t learned anything from this essay there are many other ones in the “2023 Drivers Ed Essay Contest”, so please read those informative essays because one quick read may end up helping you in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read this essay. I hope you stay safe on the road.