On Driver Education

Driving like any other day, down roads by which I live and know by heart, there was a disquieting noise, an immediate stop, a disorientation, followed by the realization that I was in an accident, my first ever accident. I was in complete shock, unaware of what had happened, unaware if I was truly okay, and distraught as to what had occurred and to whom. All that ran across my mind was the other car, and the people within; were they safe, were they alive? The accident itself did not appear grave, but I couldn’t shake the possibility that I was, in effect, involved in someone’s death. By chance, we were all unharmed.

Just like any other day, one can be driving and in the span of a few seconds, one’s life can be taken, or put in grave danger. How does one of the most common activities and practices around the world be one of the most dangerous? In the United States, more deaths per year are caused by driving incidents than those “from war in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.”

You can be the safest driver, yet still not exempt from the possibility of death, after all, you’re not the only one on the road. One can argue that driving is not inherently dangerous, yet being in supposed complete control of a machine that can move up to 120 miles per hour can only be dangerous, even if one is completely alone on the road and completely educated. At times, of course, the car can be the reason for deadly accidents, but more likely than not, it is the fault of human error.

In the United States how does one come to be able to drive a vehicle? My experience in attaining my New York Driver’s License consisted of taking a short multiple choice permit test, for which I did not study and passed solely with logical reasoning and my experience as a passenger, and a short road test which assessed my skills in driving straight, turning, indicating my turns, parallel parking and checking my mirrors. The simplicity of attaining a driver’s license ensures that most anyone can drive in the state of New York, and essentially ensures that people who may not be fit to be in control of a vehicle, are able to. Not much education is required to be able to drive, so it is not unreasonable to expect driving accidents to be common. There is a defensive driver course available, but not required. Instead, there is the incentive to take the course in order to remove points, which can result in suspension, from your license. So, the incentive to take a defensive driving course is generally for those that have already been deemed somewhat unsafe drivers. Not only is it essential to learn how to be a safe driver, but it is imperative to learn to be a defensive driver, given that not everyone will be educated, even in regard to driving under the influence which occurs way more often than it should. One should never drive too close to another car, should always obey the laws of the road, and should recognize when they are not in a position to be driving. It is clear that a lack of proper driving education is one of the main causes of frequent driving accidents, but definitely not the only one.

After getting out to make sure that the people in the other car were safe, I noticed the other driver visibly and audibly upset, despite after everything being resolved, him being at fault. Apart from the shock of the accident itself, I was in shock at the differences in our reactions. My concern versus his ire. Naturally, given that it is inherently dangerous, driving can be quite stressful for the driver and even the passengers. I’ve noticed many people, including my brother who is a very precautious driver, get very anxious while driving, which in itself can be dangerous, for one needs to be concentrated and sure of oneself. But people react to stress differently. One of the main stereotypes of New York drivers is their “road rage.” I’ve been in the car with many and witnessed many who succumb to this “road rage,” to the extent that people drive erratically because of it or even to spite another driver. Many New Yorkers align with this stereotype, most likely due to the culture and nature of New Yorkers who are bound to stressful, busy, and fast-paced lives. Thus, it is not only proper driving education that can and will prevent accidents, but also changes in policies that ensure that those who are driving are fit to be driving, in addition to the current implementation of speed limits, speeding cameras, fines, and tickets.

One, of course, cannot control another’s driving or behavior, but can maximize the safety in one’s own driving through education, concentration and keeping a level head. Even when someone is driving under the influence, one can drive defensively and cautiously if one notices erratic driving. But overall, accidents are bound to happen despite however safe and educated one might be, which is not to say that we as a society and community should not do everything in our power to prevent the rising number of deaths by vehicular accidents. After all, it can be a matter of life and death.

Upon hearing over the phone that my mother, the safest driver I know, who in her thirty years of being in this country had not even received a ticket, was in an accident, my mind raced with the endless possibilities of what had happened and what might happen. Despite the ubiquity of driving in the United States with about 90% of the adult population having a driver’s license, accidents of all gravities and causes are common and can happen to anyone, even the safest of drivers such as my mother, who luckily walked away with only an injured shoulder. Despite her even needing surgery for her shoulder, I was eternally grateful that she did not face the fatal fate that about 43,000 Americans experience a year.