Reducing roadway fatalities: A personal perspective

Driving is a daily routine for many, myself included, but it’s one of the most dangerous activities we engage in every day. As an EMT, I’ve responded to countless car accidents, and I’ve seen firsthand the tragic, often preventable, outcomes of poor road safety. The wreckage, injuries, and lives lost in these accidents make it painfully clear that improving road safety is crucial. By focusing on infrastructure upgrades, enforcing stricter laws, improving vehicle safety, educating drivers, and advancing technology, we can take meaningful steps toward reducing road fatalities and creating safer roads for everyone.

First, improving infrastructure is essential. So many accidents I respond to happen in areas with poor lighting, inadequate signage, and dangerously designed intersections. Often, poorly marked roads make it difficult for drivers to judge lanes correctly or adjust to turns safely. Installing better lighting on roads, particularly in rural areas, can reduce the risk of accidents caused by low visibility. Features like rumble strips, which alert drivers if they begin to drift out of their lanes, could help prevent accidents caused by drowsiness. In addition, replacing traditional intersections with roundabouts has been shown to lower collision rates significantly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roundabouts reduce fatal accidents by about 90% compared to four-way intersections. When I reflect on the scenes I witness, I believe that if infrastructure improvements were prioritized and funded, the impact would be both immediate and significant.

Enforcing stricter driving laws is another step toward reducing roadway fatalities. Despite what we know about the dangers of impaired or distracted driving, people continue to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol or with their phones in hand. Many of the accident scenes I attend involve drivers who were intoxicated or distracted, putting their lives and others at risk. In my experience, stricter DUI laws and harsher penalties for distracted driving, including texting, could deter risky behaviors. Enforcing seatbelt laws more rigorously is also essential. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, stricter law enforcement can directly decrease the frequency and severity of crashes. Each time I witness an accident resulting from one of these preventable behaviors, I’m reminded of how much suffering could be avoided if stricter laws were in place and consistently enforced. More roadside checkpoints and public awareness campaigns could also serve as reminders of the very real consequences of reckless driving.

Vehicle safety standards have improved over the years, but there’s still room for progress. Newer cars are equipped with advanced safety technologies that can prevent or reduce the severity of crashes. My own car, for instance, has lane departure warnings, automatic braking, and a collision alert system, all of which have helped me avoid potential accidents. However, I know from the accidents I’ve responded to that many people still drive older vehicles that lack even the most basic safety features, like airbags or antilock brakes. If these drivers had access to cars with up to date safety features, the severity of injuries and likelihood of fatalities in many accidents could be reduced. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that modern safety features, including backup cameras, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, are crucial in preventing accidents. Making these technologies more accessible and affordable is vital for safer roads. Incentivizing vehicle trade-ins for older cars or providing subsidies for adding certain safety features could also increase access to this life-saving technology.

Public awareness and driver education are essential, especially in an era when distractions are everywhere. Educating drivers, particularly younger ones, about the dangers of distracted driving, defensive driving skills, and the effects of impairment could make a real difference. When I was learning to drive, defensive driving was a major focus of my education, but distracting driving, such as texting, was not as prevalent then. Today, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. I see it too often in my EMT work, young drivers who were texting or posting on social media moments before a crash. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, implementing education programs that emphasize defensive driving and warn of the dangers of texting and driving could lead to safer habits on the road. School programs, social media campaigns, and public service announcements can all raise awareness about the consequences of distraction and impaired driving, especially for young drivers.

Technology plays a vital role in reducing roadway fatalities. Real time traffic and navigation apps can warn drivers about hazards or provide alternative routes, helping them avoid dangerous situations. In my own experience on the road, these apps have been incredibly helpful for staying aware of road conditions. Autonomous driving technology is also advancing and may soon help reduce accidents caused by human error, which is responsible for nearly 94% of all traffic crashes, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. Although fully autonomous vehicles are not yet widespread, semi-autonomous features, such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, have already made driving safer. Further advancements in technology, including smart traffic management systems that can adjust signals based on real-time conditions, could create safer roads. While these advancements are still evolving, the potential they hold is undeniable.

Reducing roadway fatalities requires a comprehensive approach that includes safer infrastructure, stricter laws, enhanced vehicle safety, improved driver education, and advanced technology. From my perspective as an EMT, I see the results of car accidents every day, and it’s clear that every step toward safer driving conditions could mean one less life lost. By taking these actions together, we can reduce the number of people who die on our roads each year, ensuring that more people arrive home safely.