My Road to Safety

Believe it or not behind the wheel, our habits can be our greatest allies or our worst enemies. 

Driver education is paramount in curtailing the devastating toll of road fatalities. Comprehensive programs instill essential knowledge, from traffic laws and road signs to vehicle mechanics and emergency procedures. By equipping new drivers with a solid foundation in safe driving practices, these programs significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. Moreover, driver education fosters a responsible attitude toward the road, emphasizing the importance of defensive driving, hazard perception, and respect for other road users. These skills are instrumental in preventing accidents and mitigating their consequences.

I remember a family trip like it was yesterday. It was late at night, and while my mom, brother and I were engrossed in a quick dinner, my dad, behind the wheel, was fighting to sleep. Suddenly, we found ourselves just a few feet from a landslide in the road, completely hidden by darkness. Between my dad’s confidence in the road because he had driven there several times before, his tiredness and us eating, the distraction almost played a trick on us. This experience marked me for life and made me understand the importance of always paying attention behind the wheel. And beyond identifying the problems, we must focus on practical solutions to adopt safer driving habits.

When we realize that dangerous driving habits not only have a direct impact on road safety, but also affect the psychological well-being of the driver, and we recognize patterns of behavior that can put our lives and the lives of others at risk, we can take comfort in knowing that the power to take action to correct them is within us. This awareness fosters a greater sense of control and responsibility, reducing the anxiety and stress associated with driving. 

After that accident with my family, I must admit that it took me quite a while to ride in the passenger seat calmly. Traffic accidents, even those that seem minor, can leave deep psychological scars. Post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression are some of the most common consequences. Flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, and hypervigilance relentlessly haunt the victim’s mental health. In addition, they may develop phobias related to driving or the places where the accident occurred. These disorders can significantly affect people’s quality of life, interfering with their personal relationships, work and general well-being.

Safe driving requires full attention and awareness of habits that, although seemingly harmless, can significantly increase the risk of accidents.

Not only is it important to eliminate all distractions behind the wheel, but also that of passengers. Although we may not believe it, as passengers we can play a key role when it comes to being attentive to the road and protecting the driver. If neither my mom, brother nor I had been eating, we would have been able to anticipate the collapse and warn my dad. Not only that, handling food or beverages while driving can cause spills, distractions and loss of control of the vehicle. The best alternative is always to organize your food and beverages before you hit the road. Since that accident, we created a specific organization system for every time we make road trips, we started to prepare sandwiches ready to go so that every time we get to lunch time while we are on the road we don’t go hungry, along with a small box of snacks to complete. The people in charge of this system are me and my brother, who are in the back seats, and so we relieve the burden on the co-driver, and he can support the pilot in being aware of the road.

Since that terrible experience, we leave the house without exception at 6am, because driving at night can be more tiring due to the lack of light and the monotony of the environment generating fatigue, and unlike before, nowadays it is not so safe to stop at road stops to rest. That is why as a solution we not only start the trip earlier, but we also carry a good thermos full of coffee just in case, and if any part of the trip is going to give us the night, we plan an inn nearby to rest and wake up refreshed to continue the journey.

Finally, my dad’s overconfidence towards the road could have cost us dearly. Sometimes drivers with many years of experience can develop a sense of invulnerability. When the roads are in mountains or with nature around them, it is normal that at some point the road changes, or accidents like landslides occur. Do not let confidence play a trick on you. Respect the traffic rules and always follow the traffic signs and the indications of the authorities, be attentive to the GPS and have a reliable co-driver to help you to be attentive to the road.

And the truth is that road safety is a commitment we must all embrace. Identifying and avoiding dangerous driving habits is not only a matter of following rules, but a sign of respect for ourselves and others. By becoming aware of the associated risks, we make more informed and responsible decisions. In addition, by recognizing the psychological impact that accidents can have on victims and their loved ones, we understand the importance of preventing them. 

Remember, safe driving is everyone’s responsibility, only you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and protect your life and the lives of others.