The importance of safe driving

Erin
Roskelley

The
Importance of Safe Driving

Driving
is something that most everyone learns to do and continues to use
throughout their lives. However, driving is one of the most dangerous
things we do in our daily lives. Car accidents have taken countless
lives and continue to do so every single day. One way to help people
practice safe driving, is to pound the importance of it into the
students of Drivers Ed. Show them from a young age the potential
danger and the responsibility that driving comes with. While some
might say that that is a little too scary for the young drivers, it
is not. If they find it too scary or take it too lightly, then they
are not ready to carry the responsibility of being able to drive.
Teach them to drive safely and responsibly and show them the
consequences of not doing so.

One
thing that has led to countless deaths and accidents is the use of
cell phones while driving. While texting while driving is illegal in
most states, the use of cell phones in general is not. Even when
illegal, you see so many people on the road looking down to their
laps instead of on the roads. Banning the use of cell phones all
together while driving could help reduce the deaths by car accidents.

I,
personally, have been in one accident in my life. It was the other
driver’s fault, as she didn’t care to use her mirrors or look
behind her as she changed lanes. No one was hurt besides our
vehicles. However, it could have ended much worse. The lack of such a
small movement, such as checking your mirrors, could have hurt
someone immensely. When hit, I almost hit the cars in the lane next
to me, thankfully, I was able to swerve before that and was able to
pull into a parking lot. Mine was a minor accident, but I have seen
worse. It is not something I would wish upon anyone.

One
way I try to be a better driver, is by making sure all distractions
are out of my focus. There is an app you can get on your phone that
can sense when you are driving and will shut off your phone and will
not let you use it until you have stopped. By removing all
distractions and temptations, we can all be safer drivers. Sharing
these kinds of resources can help others to be safer and more
attentive to the roads.