Safe driving means a lot to me for many reasons. As someone who has a family member who was injured in a car accident do to unsafe driving, it really hits home when I hear about safe driving. I wish that people cared more about the effects of unsafe driving before an accident occurs, because it could prevent so much loss and injury. The fact that car accidents cause a lot of deaths, not just in our country but around the world, bothers me immensely.

The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths due to driving is key. Making sure that all drivers on the road have received proper driving education is important. Approximately three percent of all drivers in the United States don't have a license or permit to drive. That is nearly seven million people. Roughly eighteen percent of those drivers will be a part of at least one fatal crash. This is very unsafe and irresponsible for both the driver and the government. These could have been prevented if these individuals had taken the time to take driver's education and learn the rules of the road, but also the car.

Many steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths due to driving. The two most important are individual driver action and broader strategies. These are key ways to prevent any possible crashes or accidents on the road.

 There are many ways that an individual driving including buckling up, avoiding distractions, driving sober, defensive driving, and more. A seatbelt can be the difference between a minor injury and death. Seatbelts have saved countless lives when it means the most, yet they don't get enough credit. Driving sober ensures that the reaction time of a driver is at its best. When drinking or consuming any other drug or alcohol, it slows reaction time anywhere from twelve to forty percent. This is life-changing and could save millions of lives if we choose to drive sober. Putting down a phone while on the road increases what we can see and pay attention to. It is said that it is almost impossible to multitask, so why put yourself in danger while in a ton of high-speed moving metal? 

There are many ways in which we can inform others on how to drive more safely, including improved law enforcement, “safe systems”, and increased awareness. There are multiple ways that can improve the effectiveness of lawinforcment like stricter enforcement of traffic laws, such as high speeds and seatbelt use. This could reduce deaths by a tremendous amount. A safe system approach could make roads safer for all users, including cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. This would make the road feel safer and prevent injuries. Increasing awareness what what could happen when driving unsafe is very important. Whether it's a campaign or a simple text to a friend could save a life.

I know many people who have been in car accidents, including myself. My granda, when she was in her 20s, had gotten in a car accident due to low visibility and not proper education on how to drive in these conditions. She ended up breaking her neck, almost paralyzing her. Luckily, she had broken a less dangerous bone. With physical therapy, this bone healed and allowed her to have limited movement instead of none at all. I also have been in a car accident. My friends and I were going to the beach, but due to low amounts of service, her GPS was malfunctioning. She looked down because it was saying to turn on roads that didn't exist. That one movement led her to turn the wheel, sending us into the ditch and almost into the tree. I was the only one who was physically affected. I had a very significant concussion, and with proper treatment, I recovered. If she had never looked at her phone, we would have never been in that situation. There are many more stories of irresponsible drivers in my life, but those are the most significant stories.

There are many key steps to take to become a better driver, as well as to help others be safer on the road. There are many driving habits that will improve driving, such as driving smoothly, following the rules, being courteous, checking your vehicle, and practicing regularly.  Driving smoothly will not only help the driver but also the cars around them. Braking smoothly will help other drivers not need to slam on their brakes to not hit you. This makes you more predictable to other drivers in tune, making it safer for other drivers. Obeying the rules, such as speed limits, not only makes it easier to maneuver the vehicle but also prevents crashes. Sharing the road responsibly is the best way to keep everyone safe. 

Safe driving is important for many reasons. As someone who has been involved in a previous car accident, I know others who have too it really hits home. Driving safely can prevent death and injuries on the road, not just here in the United States but in other countries as well. We need to continue the safe use of the road to benefit everyone.