Reducing Traffic Fatalities

Reducing
Traffic Fatalities

Being
able to educate young drivers early is key to reducing driving
deaths. Showing young drivers the importance of the decisions made
behind the wheel is imperative to starting off their driving career
safely. Most young drivers don’t understand the physics and forces
that are in play when operating a vehicle. I had the opportunity to
present to drivers ed classes for about three (3) years at
local high schools as a police officer. I was assigned to a Driving
While Impaired Task Force and part of our duties were to present to
drivers ed classes. I stressed to them the decisions they make
behind the wheel could have lasting effects for them and for other
drivers. I would show them the force a vehicle possesses and how long
it takes for the vehicle to stop at different speeds using simple
time/distance formulas. I could also show them the perception and
reaction time with different hands on activities. We would then use
that reaction time data to calculate the full distance required to
stop at different speeds from when the danger is perceived, through
braking, and until the vehicle comes to a rest. This appeared to be
very eye opening for the students and I feel they left my classes
with a better understanding of the true force behind a moving
vehicle. We would also conduct different exercises involving texting
and other types of distracted driving. Making these steps, or similar
steps, a mandatory requirement for drivers ed classes would
ensure we are fully educating young drivers of the dangers of driving
if wrong decisions are made. It also ensures they understand the
physics behind a vehicle in motion.

There
also should be a program dedicated to educating adult drivers
convicted of certain moving violations. Most states already have some
type of driving school for violators, but the schools should be
expanded to truly show the physics and forces behind a moving
vehicles similar to what I outlined above.

Another
step that could be explored as an option to reduce traffic fatalities
is to reduce the national speed limit back to 55 mph. In 1974, the
United States imposed a national speed limit of 55 mph in response to
the oil embargo of 1973. A side effect was the number of traffic
crashes and fatalities dropped significantly. Obviously as speeds
increase so do the severity of crashes and injuries.

I
have never personally been in a vehicle crash, but have witnesses
multiple friends and family members driving irresponsibly. Whether it
be excessive speed or distracted driving, I try to make a comment
just to trigger them to thinking about their behavior and change that
behavior.

If
I’m honest, I have had to remind myself at times to ensure I am
operating my vehicle safely. The more you drive and nothing bad
happens even when driving irresponsibly, the easier it is to let our
guard down and we need to remind ourselves to drive safe and
responsible. We all need to take ownership of our behavior behind the
wheel to ensure we are not distracted and driving safely. By doing
this, others that ride with you and other drivers around you will
hopefully begin to mirror that behavior.

Reducing
traffic fatalities begins with educating young drivers and continuing
that education to adult drivers. Keys to focus on are explaining the
physics behind a moving vehicle and ensuring we are not driving
distracted.