Name: Jonathan Portillo
From: Houston, Texas
Votes: 0
Jonathan Portillo
Freshmen
Kinesiology Major
Texas Southern
University
11/3/19
In
the driver’s seat
Over
the years in World history, the number of death rates has increased
dramatically because due to auto accidents. But what is the main
cause of auto accidents? The answer is lack of drivers ed.
Importance
of Drivers Knowledge and Education
As
a result, the lack of drivers ed knowledge has become the
#1 reason for automobile accidents. To change this situation, it is
imperative that we educate our drivers in a deeper level. The
importance of drivers ed is very diligent because it can
have many positive effects on the roles of drivers as well for their
own lives. New young drivers are the leading age minority of
accidents because of their inexperience, and lack of road safety
tips. In 1995 teenage drivers were involved in 35 crashes per million
miles! I believe that if people were to put more effort into
educating themselves in driver’s safety then the rate of auto
accidents should decrease. It has also been known that car accidents
can lead to both drivers having slight post traumatic disorder
because of these events.
Steps
to reduce the number of fatalities
There
are numerous reasons for car accidents such as: driving while
intoxicated, being distracted through the phone, or simply not paying
attention. Action must be taken to begin decreasing these rates of
death-related accidents. One action I would take is to propose a law
to whereas auto dealerships can and will not sell a vehicle to
someone without a valid driver’s license. This ensures that the
driver knows what there are doing and is well educated. In addition,
I would place in effect a law that requires vehicles to have
automatic alcohol and drug detectors so that driving while
intoxicated of any sort of drugs can be prevented. If in some case,
someone brings a bottle of alcohol or any other drugs into the car,
the police will be notified immediately without the driver knowing.
Next, we tend to have lots of “speedy drivers.” This means people
who drive very fast through the streets for the fun of it. I would
set in place a detector in the vehicle to where it marks “Death
range” over a specific mile per hour. This can unmotivated the
driver to continue to speed because he/she is warned that a fatality
can occur.
Personal
Experience
In
the summer of 2013, I was sat in the passenger seat while my older
sister drove on the way to a local grocery store. We stopped at a red
light, waited until it turned green and as it did, we drove straight
ahead, and a black sedan drove tried to pass a red light from his
intersection and drove right into the right side behind of the car.
As a result, the right tail light of the car broke, and the trunk was
slightly damaged. This was a frightening moment for my sister and I
because it happened so suddenly. I was a little shook for about 2
days post-accident.
A
former coach from my high school was involved in a car accident
himself. I remember he approached me in a wheel chair and explained
to me what occurred during his accident. He told me that a drunk
driver in a truck drove straight behind him so fast to the point his
vehicle flipped over 2 times in a row. It was a miracle that he was
alive. This left him with multiple broken bones and a concussion. I
remember feeling terrible for him and I prayed for him and his
well-being.
Steps
to be a better driver myself
Steps
that I can take to be a better driver are: pay close attention to
surroundings, following all speed limits appropriately, obeying
traffic laws as well as street signs. In detail, one thing I would do
is drive-with-space. This means that I will drive behind a vehicle
with at least 5 feet of a space-gap in the case of a sudden brake, I
have time to react properly and avoid an accident. Another thing I
can do is adjust my mirrors properly so that I can view every corner
of the vehicle to avoid an unexpected reckless driver. Last thing I
can do is simply have control over the vehicle and hold the steering
wheel at a 10 to 2 position, as well as have a good-standing speed
while driving.
Conclusion
Everyone
has a purpose to live. Life is a beautiful gift. I don’t believe
that it should be taken in the form of a tragedy as a car accident. I
encourage you and the world to better yourself for the sake of your
life, children, and senior citizens. Always remember that every life
matter!
