Out of the 5,732 students currently enrolled at SUNY Old Westbury, 82% live off-campus. According to usnews.com, only 18% of students reside in college-owned housing, while the rest are commuters. With such a large number of individuals driving to and from school on a weekly basis, safety measures on the road are vital.
Since most people are in a motor vehicle almost every day, it can seem like a common and easy way to get to your destination. For individuals driving to their college, a route that they’ve taken many times before, it may not cross to their minds that the trip could take a turn for the worst. However, since there are an average of eighty-three motor vehicle accidents a day on Long Island alone, students should stress the importance of remaining vigilant while driving. According to mirmanlawyers.com, of those eighty-three accidents a day, nearly 65% of individuals experienced injuries and extreme damages to their car.
SUNY Old Westbury commuters can take measures to be proactive and avoid accidents on the way to campus. The National Highway Traffic Safety Agency stressed that car accidents are the leading cause of fatal unintentional injuries in America, and distracted driving plays a large role. That can mean anything from being careless to texting and driving. While you may have forgotten to do an assignment or have to send a text to a classmate, it is important to do so before heading out on the road. Many of us have a smartphone on us at all times and can use it to send a hands-free voice recording to someone if the message is urgent.
For students with a longer trip to school, it is likely that you will have to pass through an intersection. Christian Bogen, a teacher at Allstate driving school, stated that “intersections are extremely dangerous. While you may be an experienced driver, it’s the cars around you that you must watch out for.” He went on to say that four-way intersections are known for the likelihood of someone being “T-boned” if another driver runs a red light.“I always tell my students not to be nervous, but to be on high alert every time that they get in the car. Even if you have the right of way, other drivers may not be paying attention,” Bogen explained.
It is important to remember that while driving is something that most of us do habitually and without fear, it has the potential to be extremely dangerous. We have all heard not to text and drive, and to remain aware at all times. Unfortunately, these directions are often ignored. In order to avoid any chance of an accident while driving to school, SUNY OW commuter students should stress the importance of being a diligent driver at all times.
