Many of us get in our car to go to work, run errands, or just get around town without ever thinking of the dangers involved.
But for some counties in the east, the dangers of driving are becoming all too clear with the number of fatal wrecks in the last ten months.
"You need to realize how quickly you can lose your life," said 1st Sgt. Johnston.
But 1st Sergeant C.I. Johnston with the State Highway Patrol says not enough people understand the possible dangers of driving.
"If you don't drive in a defensive manor, if you don't wear your seat belt, if you're going to speed, if you drink and drive, you probably will not be able to reach your destination," continued Johnston.
Last year Jones and Lenoir counties had twelve fatal wrecks killing 13 people. So far in 2008, they have had 13 fatal wrecks that have taken the lives of 19 people and the year is not over.
"Six of them have involved alcohol or drugs, eight have involved what we call left of center, driving on the wrong side of the road," said Johnston.
Johnston says roads like U.S. 70 and U.S. 17 have become increasingly dangerous to drive over the last year.
But just changing your behavior behind the wheel can help you avoid becoming a statistic.
"You can control how you drive, you can't control what the other person is doing," said Johnston.
And Johnston says the fist step is to buckle up before you hit the road.
"They need to drive like their life depends upon it, because it does," he said.
And he says you need to eliminate the distractions that have become so common for drivers, like cell phones, CD's, and even glancing at your GPS.
Because just one distraction is all it takes, to take you life.
Johnston said driving defensively and simply being aware of your surroundings allows you to react to other drivers mistakes.
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