Let’s End Distracted & Drunk Driving

In the United States, the celebration of turning sixteen is usually accompanied by a trip to the DMV to get one’s license. The day has finally come when one can experience the freedom of driving alone and being able to blast their music or drive to the mall with their friends without forcing a parent to come along with them. Unfortunately, turning sixteen also marks a day when teenagers have to take extra precautions when driving and need to learn the severity that some consequences have in regard to driving. With the number of deaths due to traffic-related accidents rising each year and with thousands of those deaths being preventable if proper action was taken, it is a top priority that driver education upholds a strong influence among young drivers and it is essential that this knowledge continues to reach all drivers. Driver education emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing risks on the road, which is why it is crucial to promote risk awareness and driver education. Young drivers are more likely to be responsible and follow safe driving practices when exposed to an abundance of driver education prior to driving on the road which leads to a reduction in accidents and fatalities. Furthermore, driver education aims to instill safe and alert driving behaviors and attitudes among young drivers. It addresses topics such as the consequences of reckless driving, the importance of patience and courtesy, and the need for respect and caution toward all road users. By promoting positive attitudes and behaviors, driver education fosters a culture of safety on the roads, reducing accidents and fatalities. While driver education alone cannot eliminate all accidents, it significantly contributes to improving road safety by equipping young drivers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for responsible and cautious driving. Reducing the number of deaths related to driving requires a comprehensive approach that targets drivers emotionally and physically, and is something that requires the effort and participation of the entire community, not just a select few drivers. A successful tactic that reduces the number of unsafe drivers on roadways is by strengthening traffic laws and police enforcement so that dangerous drivers are held accountable for their actions and removed from the roadway before causing harm. Implementing and enforcing traffic laws that address speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and other risky behaviors is key in reducing the number of dangerous drivers on roadways, especially as these types of ignorant drivers cause hundreds of thousands of accidents a year due to risky and unsafe behaviors. Impaired drivers alone cause over 10,000 deaths according to the NHTSA, which is why it is crucial that communities take a strong and aggressive stance on cracking down on the number of impaired drivers. By implementing rigorous measures to deter impaired driving such as sobriety checkpoints and strict penalties, drivers are less likely to engage in heinous crimes that take the lives of thousands of innocent individuals. Although it may seem impossible to reduce the number of deaths related to traffic incidences due to the growing presence of drugs, alcohol, and other risky influences on one’s life, it is still possible to significantly reduce this number and create safer roads for all users if harsher penalties and tighter enforcement is conducted. Although I have not been in a car accident myself, my siblings have been in a car accident involving an impaired driver, which led to that driver being critically injured and permanently paralyzed. The traffic accident has permanently engraved scars and trauma onto the minds of my siblings, especially as they were rushed to the ER as a caution for a possible brain injury. The reckless behavior that a 22-year-old student made after driving home from a bar late at night, not only led to a serious crash but also caused that student to be unable to finish college and instead focus his time on battling criminal charges as well as physical rehabilitation. Although my siblings were okay and eventually released from the hospital with minimal injuries, this accident would have (and should not have) happened if there was stricter enforcement on roadways early in the morning and if there were more initiatives at bars to reduce the number of impaired drivers on roadways. As a young driver, I take many steps to ensure that I stay safe on the roadways while also being cautious and alert to my surroundings. Besides obeying traffic laws such as speed limits, traffic signals, and road signs, I also stay focused on driving and keep my eyes on the road by minimizing distractions. Two practices that I do not see often on the roadways are maintaining a safe distance and using turn signals. Despite these practices being vital in ensuring safety on roadways, I notice many drivers do not engage in either of these actions which is why I make it a crucial priority to me to practice both of these. I keep a safe following distance from the car in front of me which gives me ample time to react and prevent rear-end collisions in case of sudden stops or emergencies. I always use my turn signals to indicate my actions to other drivers, which allows other drivers to anticipate my actions and helps prevent misunderstandings or accidents. Although I am underage, I notice that peers within my community already engage in impaired driving which is something that I strongly disapprove of, and make it known to those who engage in it that I do not respect their actions or intentions if they choose to drive high or drunk. By abstaining from drugs or alcohol, I know that I am always driving sober, which is essential when it comes to driving safely and alertly. By being a responsible and conscientious driver, I contribute to a safer driving culture while also encouraging my peers to adopt safer behaviors and practices while on the road.