In
today’s technological world one can say that transportation is tremendously
beneficial in one’s life. Cars have allowed individuals to travel immense
distances when the need to get to work, school, and other indispensable places
presents itself. With its many advantages, though, if not used carefully, can,
and many times do, pose a threat to one’s safety. It is, therefore, vital that
each individual looks at ways to ensure safety. Safety can be improved by demonstrating
and remembering S.A.F.E, (Self checks, Attentiveness and Awareness, Fastening
ones seat belt, and Emergency check ups.)
Self
checks are occasionally look upon as unnecessary but just a simple self check
can mean the difference between life and death, and it is imperative because
safety on the road starts with everyone individually. One can check for fatigue
before going behind the wheel. Fatigue can dull minds and slow responses. Slight
drowsiness can pose a tremendous threat to the driver’s safety. Dowsing off
from lethargy can happen in just a few seconds, making the driver unaware of
his/her surroundings and thus exposing the driver to possible and unexpected
crashes. Next, check the mood. Anger, anxiety, and excitement are emotions that
may distract drivers and entertain road rage.
Staying
attentive and having a since of responsiveness while driving is crucial to one’s
safety. Because alcohol and drugs are mind altering substances that can slow
one’s reaction, they can cause one to function inappropriately while under the
influence. Drinking and driving can have serious consequences. Take Samuel, for
example. He’ll always regret the moment that changed his life forever. It
happened when his older brother, David, drove head-on into an on coming car and
flipped over. Unfortunately David and Samuel were under the influence of
alcohol after attending a party. Fourteen years later, Samuel still has
nightmares about the car accident that took his brother’s life, and the lives
of two other passengers. He was fortunate to come out alive, even though he is
now paralyzed from his neck down, with traumatic brain injuries.
Even
when free of drugs and alcohol, an individual must stay alert and on guard for
any potential danger, thus remaining aware of his/her surroundings. A driver
must be aware of signs and people. Sometimes an accident happens because the
driver failed to notice a sign or a pedestrian. Wet and icy roads are potential
hazards that a driver must consider. Cell phone distractions can also steal a
driver’s attention from the road, especially texting. According to a study
conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), “For every 6 seconds of drive time, a driver sending or
receiving a text message spends 4.6 of those seconds with their eyes off the
road. This makes texting the most distracting of all cell phone related tasks”
(1). Awareness should always be maintained by restraining from distractions.
The
“Click it or ticket!” campaign is a law enforcement
effort to improve driver’s safety. According to, “Seat Belts Statistics”, by
JMU Office of Public Safety, about 50 percent of drivers
could be saved if they wore their safety belts. Seat belts need to be properly
worn at all time. Numerous lives are lost from injuries due to ejection during
a car accident. Seat belts, as a result, are beneficial by minimizing the
body’s contact with interior parts of the car, like the steering wheel and
windshield, therefore reducing severity of injuries.
Dangerous situations can also occur if the
driver is ready, but the car is not. Completing emergency car checkups before
hitting the road is vital in reducing accident risks. To complete an emergency
check up, one should check tire pressure, test the breaks and headlights,
verify sufficient gas supply and confirm the location of an emergency kit with
tools such as a spare tire, jack, screwdrivers and wrenches, fuses, and a first
aid kit. Doing an emergency check up will prepare the driver for almost
anything and, hopefully, prevent accidents.
In
this modern world, cars are a necessity. Cars, although useful, can pose a
threat to people’s lives! Drivers can ensure their security by remembering the
word S.A.F.E. (Self checks, Attentiveness and Awareness, Fastening ones seat
belt, and Emergency check ups). The use of transportation can come at a crucial
price, so staying safe on the road should be important to every driver. Always
consider and reflect on S.A.F.E. before heading out to keep from endangering
your life and the lives of everyone on the road.
Works
Cited
"DWT Epidemic ." Fleet
Driver Risk Solutions. Jan. 2011. 22 Mar. 2011.
<http://fleetdriverriskmanagement.com/driving_while_texting.html>.
"Safety Belt Statistics."
James Madison University.
21 Oct. 2004. 22 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.jmu.edu/safetyplan/vehicle/generaldriver/safetybelt.shtml>.
