The Importance of Drivers Education: How a Focus on Safe Driving Leads to Less Accidents

The Importance of Drivers Education: How a Focus on Safe Driving Leads to Less Accidents

People who drive become accustomed to performing many tasks subconsciously. They do not think about checking their mirrors, moving their feet, or steering the wheel, as it is like breathing to them. However, with comfort comes negligence, and as many drivers know distracted driving can lead to accidents or even death. Driving education is one of the best tools we have at combating traffic fatalities, as it causes drivers to remain aware of distractions on the road and teaches them about possible distractions they may have never acknowledged. When drivers are aware of distractions, they are less likely to get into accidents and thus less likely to be hurt on the road. Through staying vigilant and observant, drivers can do their part in minimizing distracted driving incidents and making the roads safer for all.

The best possible solution for reducing accidents on the road is to limit the amount of options drivers have. Choice paralysis is a phenomenon that occurs when an individual is overwhelmed with possibilities. The amount of choices forces the individual to freeze and overanalyze, and while this may not seem like a significant problem at first can become potentially fatal when it occurs behind the wheel. A majority of traffic accidents occur not because of substances or distractions, but by the driver momentarily losing focus. To mitigate this, engineers could incorporate designs that remove choices from drivers and make the overall driving experience much more automated. Cars with advanced driver-assistance software, like lane assistance or automatic braking, are already on the market and only growing in popularity, and it is only a matter of time until fully autonomous vehicles enter the commercial market. Additionally, intelligent road design can also be utilized to reduce the amount of choices drivers have to make. Roundabouts are a small circular one-way intersection that requires drivers to slow down and drive around a central island until their turn. As drivers circle the roundabout, they yield to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Roundabouts are proven to be effective at reducing traffic incidents, and as an overwhelming majority of traffic incidents occur at intersections, replacing traditional intersections with roundabouts would be an effective solution for reducing traffic accidents.

Another major aspect to reducing traffic accidents is to ensure that the person behind the wheel is aware of the potential dangers and distractions they may face on the road. It is easy for drivers to make mistakes or lapses in judgement if they do not know any better, therefore it is essential that drivers remain informed and aware. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on increasing driver education, and through the internet more people than ever are becoming aware of the necessary steps they must take to be vigilant on the road. Drivers can limit their access to technology through a variety of solutions. They could turn their phones off, put their phone in a “do not disturb” mode so they do not receive notifications, use voice controls, or utilize the hands-free phone operating systems incorporated in many modern vehicles, preventing their hands from ever leaving the wheel. This is not just limited to technology, but all other distractions that drivers may face on the road like eating, grooming, smoking, or the countless other activities that drivers perform while on the road. Through education, drivers can become aware of potentially reckless driving like tailgating and relearn their problematic behaviors. With the knowledge of these reckless behaviors, drivers will know how to drive in ways that prevent them from engaging in these behaviors and know how to respond when they see such behaviors on the road.

Whenever I am a passenger in a vehicle, I make it my responsibility to hold the driver accountable for being a safe driver. My job starts before we even step foot in the vehicle. If I know that the driver may be potentially impaired or just not able to drive due to being overly emotional or tired, I would strongly urge them to use an alternate form of transportation. When we are in the car, I am the one calibrating the GPS, answering texts and phone calls, changing the music, and doing any other tasks that would require the driver to divert their attention from the road. As a passenger, I take on responsibilities similar to that of a co-pilot. While the driver is maintaining focus on the road and keeping the vehicle on the desired path, I can look around at signs and landmarks to help the driver navigate. I look at other cars and make the driver alert to objects that may be outside of their field of vision. Driving can become stressful, and this stress can culminate into aggravated driving or road rage. As a passenger, I try to engage the driver in calm, passive conversation while also looking out for their mental well being on the road. If I see they are becoming frustrated, I make it my responsibility to help them with their frustrations and help them regain their composure so that we can continue to travel to our destination.

Besides changing roads and implementing new technologies into cars, the best way to combat traffic fatalities is to further emphasise driver education and make drivers more aware of the distractions on the road. It is no coincidence that traffic fatalities have been on a steady decline, as there is a much greater emphasis on driver education and driver safety than just ten years ago. As we continue to move forward and learn how to minimize the likelihood that traffic accidents will occur, I have no doubt that these trends will continue to fall.