Education and Legislation: Reducing Vehicle-related Deaths

For some, driving is a fun, engaging activity. For others, it is a boring intermission between point A and point B. In the blink of an eye, taking a simple drive can turn deadly. Over 30% of unintentional deaths are motor vehicle related. The number of people lost annually is staggering. It is a concern for many people and organizations around the world to promote initiatives dedicated to lowering these numbers. Driver education is an extremely important aspect in reducing deaths because of driving.

To reduce the number of driving-related deaths, safe driving must be rewarded. For example, auto insurance is infamously expensive in the United States. Many vehicles traverse the roads every day without proper insurance. This behavior coincides with reckless driving. The choice of not having auto insurance stems from a lack of care for one’s vehicle and a lack of respect for other motorists. Thus, insurance companies should be prevented from suddenly hiking up rates. Additionally, good drivers should be rewarded for their habits. Insurance companies already have programs where one’s driving habits are GPS-monitored. Good drivers should be rewarded at the end of the year for their attention to hazards, safe traveling speed, and proper stopping. Not only would this incentivize current insurance holders to drive safer to save money, but it also allows for the purchase of auto insurance to be more likely. Educating drivers on the importance of safe driving and how it could result in insurance savings or benefits applied elsewhere could be a very persuasive force in promoting safe driving.

Special areas should also be designated for the more spirited drivers. It is no secret that a large group of people are automotive enthusiasts. In recent years, many tracks and drag strips have been shut down. These environments were a controlled space for enthusiasts to attend and get their fill of their passions. These areas should be reopened in spots away from urban and suburban populations to reduce the chance of noise becoming an issue. Legislation should be marked up to prevent urban sprawl into these designated spots, and the legislation should be upheld. Many tracks experienced urban sprawl and were forced to shut down despite being promised that they would remain out of the general public’s earshot. Having dedicated areas for spirited driving keeps the danger out of public roadways and moves it to a more controlled environment for people to have fun.

After a certain age, driving tests should be retaken to ensure that drivers are still capable of operating a motor vehicle sufficiently. Unfortunately, with age comes degradation of the mind. While driving is a very important part of life for many people, it is not worth the driver’s safety or the safety of others to be driving at a senior age or an impaired state. There should be a standardized age where driving tests should be renewed biannually, or even annually. Some people should be kept off of the road, and that is perfectly okay. In todays age, there are many accommodations for people who need transport.

I have had the displeasure of being in a car with my father as the driver whilst being heavily intoxicated with alcohol. I don’t have enough fingers on my hands to count the times it has happened. I’ve also been in a minor car accident due to someone’s negligence, and I’ve had several close calls. My father is a heavy drinker and a stubborn man. A combination of these two factors meant that he would always be the one driving us home in his truck. I remember the stench of alcohol and just hoping that no one else was on the road with us. Being in the car with someone driving irresponsibly is frightening. There is not much you can do, especially at a young age. Being subjected to this situation has taught me to always be vigilant on the road. Other drivers can suddenly merge into your lane and cause you to lose control of your vehicle. I had an incident where a truck did not check his blind spot and moved over into my lane in the middle of an intersection. Now, I am always watching the cars next to me and am ready to swerve out of the way if necessary. This vigilance has saved me, my passengers, my car, and other people on the road many times from physical, financial, and emotional trauma.

So, what can we do to be a better and safer driver? The obvious answers are being more aware and obeying traffic laws. However, there are other things we can do to reduce driving-related deaths. Every driver should have basic knowledge on checking the condition of their vehicle and how to handle unexpected situations on the roadway. Checking tire tread, air pressure, and the condition of your vehicle’s suspension related components could be a lifesaver. A few months ago, I was on the interstate coming home from buying a used laptop for college. About halfway through, I heard a consistent thumping sound. Suddenly, my car pulled hard to the side. I did not know if my tire had popped, or if my axle had snapped, or if a tie rod broke. All I knew was that the car was suddenly swerving at 70 miles per hour. Thankfully, there were not any cars directly around me. I immediately pushed my hazard lights on and corrected my steering wheel. Thanks to my general car knowledge, I knew to not slam on the brakes, which could potentially lock them up and cause me to spin out further. Instead, I firmly gripped the wheel, and counter steered the vehicle whilst applying light pressure to the brakes. Because I knew what not to do and remained calm, I managed to save the car and not hit anyone else.

No one expects their car to suddenly pop a tire or an oil spill on the road. But things happen. Therefore, it is important for drivers to know what to do in the event of sudden loss of control. Severe weather, catastrophic engine failure, roadway obstruction, many things could go wrong. A quick walkaround prior to leaving the driveway can clue a driver in on something to look out for. Car maintenance is an overlooked part of driving. It is negligent to put your life, and the lives of others, on the line because your vehicle is not up to standard. Driver education courses should emphasize the importance of automotive upkeep. Getting into the mindset that driving is not just a game, but a responsibility will persuade people to take better care of their vehicles and keep other people safe on the road.

Driver education will go a long way in saving lives. Engineers and safety experts are hard at work improving vehicle safety. However, there is a shared responsibility between them and the driver. Being a diligent driver, maintaining your vehicle, and understanding what the proper response is in an emergency is key to reducing driving-related deaths. Insurance companies, legal entities, and the government should work together to reward good driving habits, provide areas for motor enthusiasts, and ensure that people who are incapable of driving are not endangering the lives of others on the road. Be aware, do not drive impaired, and make it home. Driving is a privilege, not a right.