Optimism Bias – A Dangerously Positive Perspective

It was an early May morning when my mother informed me of an accident that had occurred the night before. A drunk driver had taken the lives of two fourteen year old boys celebrating their successful varsity tennis season. Nationally ranked and projected to succeed in their athletic careers, their lives were cut short by the irresponsible decision of a distressed middle aged man. A mourning atmosphere filled the halls of school that day, and classes were quieter than usual.

Two months later, I was working through a busy day at the dental office, not unordinary for our location. During a quiet moment after lunch, I peeked at my phone to discover a concerning message from my mother. My father had been hospitalized, was bruised and bleeding, and had lost his two front teeth. He had been on his usual Saturday cycling trip, something he enjoyed doing to get him active after a tiring week of working a desk job. However, that day an unsuspecting driver had turned at an intersection as he was passing by, hitting him with the side mirror and knocking him off his bike. He was lucky to have only sustained the injuries he did, and physically he recovered in no time. Yet, he has not cycled since, and my mother refuses to let any of us bike near the roads.

I suffered from optimism bias for much of my life. I thought that the tragedies in the news and stories were far removed–that was TV, it would never happen to me. Although it is easy to berate myself for being foolish, this is how I coped so I could live without extreme paranoia at every turn. However, while one does not need to fear incessantly, it is also important to recognize that no one is immune to the consequences of reckless driving, something I now know. Even if you engage in safe driving behaviors, that does not guarantee that other drivers will follow suit. Therefore, drivers’ education–something many drivers fail to take seriously and apply to every day driving–must continually be emphasized as vital to maintaining road safety. Drivers should be instructed to minimize distractions while driving, check both ways at an intersection, fully stop at stop signs, stay off cell phones when at the wheel, etc. Additionally, defensive driving should be emphasized during education to create precautious drivers. Identifying risks on the road can significantly reduce the possibility of accidents. Some methods to do this include frequently checking side and rear view mirrors, keeping a safe following distance (the three second rule), and avoiding relying on other drivers to maintain a safe environment.

Besides what to include in Drivers’ Education, how we administer such teachings also impact the effectiveness of Drivers’ Education. Currently, Drivers’ Education is typically offered before receiving one’s driver’s license. Although it varies state to state, current drivers may also receive further education when attempting to receive a point reduction. Although this seems sufficient, overtime individuals often let go of safe driving habits they learn during these classes in favor of personal habits they find more convenient. However, this is the root of reckless driving behavior, and therefore, Drivers’ Education must continually be taught. For instance, drivers should be encouraged to take a short safe driving course when renewing their license. Alternatively, workplaces can push employees to participate in defensive driving classes to foster both community and safe habits. To go even further, local town governments can legislate mandatory driving safety courses with license renewal to ensure drivers are informed of safe driving practices. Of course, this may be challenging, but collective community effort to petition for local legislators to enforce such a law could significantly decrease the frequency of car accidents.

Human error is responsible for 94 percent of all car accidents. Speeding, drowsy driving, poor vehicular control, inattention–these are just a few of many ways drivers lose their lives each year, all of which are preventable. It may seem dramatic to instill hypervigilance in all drivers, but we must remind ourselves of the responsibility we hold when operating potentially dangerous vehicles. Safe driving habits allow us to stay on the road with ease rather than with paranoia, and avoiding reckless driving is of utmost importance to save both potential victims and communities from pain and suffering. Therefore, change must come about in how we administer Driver’s Education, and this can only be done through united effort. Gather community members to encourage each other to engage in careful driving, to enforce continual Driver’s Education through legislation and in workplaces, educate one another on the consequences of reckless driving. Car accidents do not discriminate. Together, we can bring about positive change and prevent tragedy on our roads.