In the Driver’s Seat

Joshua
Lee Smith

March
31, 2020

In
the Driver’s Seat

Our world is constantly in turmoil with some
type of conflict, but one issue that is startling to me is the number
of deaths that occur every year from driving. According to DMVEd.org
website, driving is more “dangerous and deadly” than being in
war, as more people on average in America—34,000—die each year
compared to the number of American soldiers who died in both Iraq and
Afghanistan (www.dmvedu.org/scholarship/).
The case is similar over a two year period with the number of
Americans who died in the Vietnam War. These statistics show that
something must be done to reduce the number of deaths from driving,
and drivers ed is the perfect way to do that.

Drivers ed makes sure you know good
driver thinking and driving skills and rules so that not only are you
safe but others will be safe, too. When you learn that the goal of
driving is getting to your destination safely over getting there fast
that shapes you into what type of driver you should be. When you have
the right type of thinking you will be motivated to learn the right
driving skills to help you get to your destination safely. Since
drivers ed also teaches the law around driving, you also learn
not just the mechanics of driving but what is legal and not legal to
do when driving. Knowing why you should be a good driver, how to be a
good driver and what the rules are for being a driver will help
reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving.

In addition to having required drivers ed
classes, there should also be consequences for poor driving because
poor driving often leads to deaths. These consequences could be
having a peer driving mentor; retaking drivers ed class;
restricting the license; suspending the license; revoking the
license; charging fines; and doing community service. The
consequences that a negligent driver receives will depend on how
severe the driving offense. These are steps that can be taken to
reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

So that I don’t experience the consequences
of being a negligent driver and risk killing someone, I will make
sure not to drive when I am sleepy, not be distracted by using my
phone, selecting music or eating and not have loud conversations with
friends in the car while I’m driving. I can make sure to be aware
of my surroundings so I can look out for distracted drivers or
pedestrians who may not see me. Finally, though I have never been in
a car accident or have rarely seen friends or family members driver
irresponsibly, I can encourage all my friends and family to take up
my steps to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving.
Having strong drivers ed courses, strong consequences for poor
driving, doing my part, and encouraging friends and family members to
do their part will help us all become safer on the road.