Driving is a Privilege and a Necessity

Driving an overlooked action

               Many people drive every single day. Driving has become routine for millions of Americans and is often necessary in many places, not just a luxury. Despite how frequently people drive, they usually do not think about it that much. The reality is that driving must not be overlooked, as doing so could be a risk to you and other drivers. 

        While driving is part of everyday life, its true reach is often overlooked. According to the United States Department of Transportation, the average American motorist drives 13,476 miles annually. That is a staggering amount of driving, enough to drive from New York to Los Angeles four times. Driving in the United States is extremely common, with about 235 million Americans having a driver's license as of 2022, according to the most recent data from the United States Department of Transportation. Although driving is part of daily life, its full impact is often overlooked.

        One of the most overlooked responsibilities is making sure your vehicle is maintained. Of course, it is crucial to ensure that maintenance is done on time according to the schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. However, people should inspect the outside of their car frequently to ensure it is safe to operate. One easy and important thing to check is the tires. One study found that worn tires can add 86 feet to the stopping distance of a vehicle (AAA,2019). That is a considerable safety risk and could be dangerous when braking power is critical in an emergency. Another essential safety time for your vehicle is ensuring the lights are functioning correctly, as not being seen by other motorists can be dangerous, especially at night. About 15% of drivers reported accidents due to turn signal use issues, so ensuring your lights are properly functioning is critical to protect yourself and other motorists on the road (Nyugren-Pyohc Et al, 2020). Drivers must maintain their vehicles to remain safe on the road.

(Injury Facts, NCS,2023)

        The reality is that driving is a huge responsibility, and drivers must behave appropriately to ensure everyone's safety. Motor Vehicle accidents kill about 40,000 Americans yearly (IIHS,2022). The staggering death toll from motor vehicle accidents underscores why driving safely is so important.  A big cause of traffic deaths is speeding; about 29% of fatal motor vehicle accidents occur due to excessive speed (NHTSA,2023). So driving at an appropriate speed is critical for the safety of everyone on the road. It is also essential that when driving, people stay in the right lane unless they are passing other vehicles (Strongberg,2015). As impending traffic flowing in the left lane can cause a rear-end collision risk, dangerous maneuvers are being made. For the safety of yourself and others, driving carefully according to the law is essential.

    Although driving is a regular part of daily life, everyone on the road must drive safely, and your vehicle must be in good working order. While many Americans may not think driving is a big deal, the reality is a different story, and people must know the risks and responsibilities when driving.

                                                                        Works Cited     https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htm

   https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/when-to-replace-tires-check-your-tread                                

   https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2022/dl1c.cfm

                                    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342093423_Turn_signal_use_among_motorcyclists_and_car_drivers_The_role_of_environmental_characteristics_perceived_risk_beliefs_and_lifestyle_behaviours

    https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state

    https://www.vox.com/2014/6/16/5804590/slow-left-lane-driving-rules-us-traffic-illegal