Driver Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are staggering statistics recently reported for the past year in the United States. Traffic fatalities reached 32,000 people with 2,700 being teenagers and another 300,000 teenagers with injuries sustained in car accidents. Leading causes for traffic accidents and deaths include distracted driving which accounts for 10% of all teenage deaths and 25%-50% overall, drunk driving which accounts for 82% of teenage deaths, speeding, aggressive driving, and inclement weather. Let us not forget to mention driving safety and the use of seatbelts.

Most states require a minimum age to obtain driving permits, require a set of minimum hours of driving experience and six months to a year before obtaining a driver’s license. With that said, in these cases, it is the parents/guardians that are doing the training, leaving key areas uncovered. Learning how to drive is only the basics that include rules of the road and navigating the vehicle. Driver’s education takes a step further to help identify areas of danger, responsiveness, critical thinking, common sense, and awareness. Driver’s education courses will teach essential skills and knowledge of the road not to mention car maintenance, confidence, and defensive driving techniques.

Driver’s education courses teach crucial factors about driving in all sorts of inclement weather. Winter and rainy weather are dangerous for even the most seasoned driver. Driver courses can also teach a student how to avoid getting in accidents and how to drive in congested areas. We assume we will not be involved in a car accident if we are paying attention and obeying the rules of the road, but what about the other driver? Driver’s education teaches skill sets on quick thinking and how to navigate in the moment of crisis, severe weather, deer crossings, car breakdown and preparedness of essential survival kits that should be maintained in your vehicle. This could be as simple as a blanket during the cold months, tools to fix a flat tire, flashlight, flares and of course jumper cables.

There are additional benefits to completing a driver’s education program. Students will have access to driving experts. These are instructors who are qualified due to the intense training they undergo. A financial benefit to consider is insurance companies offer discounts on premiums for completion, and who would not want to take advantage of that? Drivers can potentially gain a heightened confidence level upon completion. Confident drivers are safer drivers. The more knowledge you have, the better you can recognize dangerous driving situations and avoid them, potentially saving others from a serious accident. One additional benefit is overall driving record improvement. You can improve your driving record and gain points on your license by completing certain driver’s education courses. If you were to get a ticket or were in an accident, taking the course will either counteract the points to your license or provide positive points. Again, who would not want to have that benefit to fall back on.

So, what steps can I take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road while helping to reduce the number of deaths related to driving? I will focus on the main contributors for driving fatalities.

Distracted driving is associated with loud music, too many people in the vehicle carrying on multiple loud conversations, texting, being on my cell phone, unfavorable weather conditions, trying to locate items in your vehicle, adjusting your radio, temperature, and the renowned rubbernecking. These require eyes off the road and losing focus. I can play my part by placing my cell phone on silent when driving and mount it on the dashboard so I will not be looking for it on my seat or in my book bag. I can limit the passengers I have and request calm conversations with low volume music. I will require all passengers to use a seatbelt before I start driving. I can lead by example and encourage my closest friends and family to follow the same protocols when I am a passenger in their vehicles.

One area to mention that may also contribute to accidents is the condition of my vehicle. It is my responsibility to maintain my vehicle with annual inspections, oil changes to avoid breakdowns, replace tires as needed, and take my car to the repair shop when I notice something is wrong. While I may not like the price tag it is my responsibility to drive a safe vehicle. Aggressive driving can be avoided by maintaining a reasonable distance between vehicles, observing the rules of the road by staying in the right lane and only pass as needed using directional so other drivers are aware of my intentions. Road rage normally occurs when people are not observing these rules that would include tailgating, speeding, and cutting people off. If I find myself encountered by an aggressive driver, I can safely pull over to the side and let them pass.

Additional precautions must be observed in severe weather conditions. During these situations I will stay on main roads during snowstorms and reduce my speed during rainstorms to prevent hydroplaning and maintain my visibility, and if possible, postpone my travel until conditions improve.

While earning my driver’s license was exciting, fun and I had a newfound freedom, I have experienced being in a minor car accident. My accident occurred in the first week of obtaining my license. I was on my way into school. As I was entering the school parking lot, there was a bus that was exiting, and we turned at the same time. The bus cut the turn a little too sharp and I did not turn sharp enough which caused them to clip my front headlight. The police arrived but did not fault either of us. I believe that if I had a little more experience I would have waited to turn until the bus completed its turn. There have been times where my friends have not been the most responsible drivers as I was in the car. I have mostly seen things such as speeding or going on their phones to check something quickly, neither of which are good examples of focused drivers. This experience has made me more aware that I need to focus closer on my driving while also anticipating what other drivers are doing.

In closing, the best way to reduce the risk of fatalities is to follow the 5 C’s according to the Department of Public Information. Use care, caution, consideration, common sense, and courtesy while driving. I can be a leader and ambassador while encouraging the same for my friends and family.