California is known for many things like the tourist attractions people come to see or the cities people move to in order to kick start their career, but it can also be known for its bad drivers, according to KTLA 5 LA’s very own, they list the top ten cities with the worst drivers, Bakersfield being number one on that list.
The leading cause of the majority of the accidents that happen in California is distracted driving. These distractions can be visual, manual, and cognitive. The most common one of those three is visual distractions which in other words means being on our cell phones or even trying to fix our makeup in the mirror while behind the wheel. Kelli Mckenzie, a junior at Ridgeview High School shares, “I think the number one distraction while driving would have to be music or our phones.” Mckenzie has her drivers license and has been driving for around eight months now.
There are lot’s of factors that go into becoming a licensed driver, passing the behind the wheel test being the biggest one. For some it takes a few times to pass while others pass with flying colors the first time, Mckenzie was successful the first time and when asked if the test was difficult she states, “No I think the test gives drivers a good understanding of how driving on the road will be.” Mckenzie also mentions that what she considers to be a safe driver is someone who prioritizes their passengers safety as well as their own and someone who is always paying attention to lights, traffic signs and the cars around them.
Going back to distracted drivers, According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety the most common age group to be involved in a car accident is 16 and 17 having the highest crash ratings. Senior Lillian Caraballo states, “I feel like students don’t drive safely”. She shares that she has witnessed and been involved in a car accident. Caraballo has noticed that the student parking lot is not the safest due to the student drivers. “Some students are, but some are not very aware while driving,” she expresses, Caraballo has experienced trying to drive with some of the students driving too fast, and it also doesn’t help that some students hang out in the parking lot making it hard for drivers to exit the parking lot.
Although California is known for its bad driving it’s important for drivers to keep awareness on the road and it’s especially important for the students at Ridgeview to stay focused and limit their distractions while behind the wheel.
