Over a dozen students have gotten into a car crash this school year. Driving recklessly or distracted, like using a phone while driving, is dangerous. Not only does it affect you, but it also affects the people around you. Being attentive while on the road can save lives. Crashing your vehicle can result in injuries including concussions, broken limbs or death. If you’re actively paying attention, you’ll also be able to protect yourself if someone else is going crazy on the road. 

Students should practice driver safety.

On top of being attentive to the road and surroundings, you should always wear a seat belt. In the event of a crash, a seat belt can prevent you from flying around. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021 26,325 passenger vehicle occupants were killed and about 50% of those killed were not buckled. Drivers should always make sure that themselves and their passengers are wearing a seat belt. 

Secondly, weather conditions can’t be controlled, but drivers can control how they navigate through them. If the roads are slippery and the weather conditions are subpar, slow down. It’s harder to stop a car on slick roads. Drivers should adjust their speed based on road conditions. For wet roads, speeds should be reduced by 5 to 10 mph. This area does not receive snow weather often but for packed snow, speed should be reduced in half, and for ice reduce speed by 5 mph. Also, it’s good to stay cautious when visibility is low, such as during nighttime or in foggy weather.

No one should drink and drive. Not only is underage drinking illegal, but the effects of alcohol can vary from person to person. No matter how much alcohol you drink, drinking will still affect your driving. This puts the driver at risk of causing accidents or highway injuries. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

New drivers should remember to stay extra cautious as they gain more experience.