Steering Toward Safety: The Power of Driver Education and Community Engagement in Creating Safer Roads

Driver education plays a crucial role in reducing the number of deaths resulting from driving accidents for several reasons. Driver education programs teach individuals the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a vehicle safely. They ensure a direct understanding of traffic rules, road signs, and basic driving maneuvers. A well-educated driver is more likely to make informed decisions while driving. Defensive driving lessons teach techniques that help drivers anticipate and respond to potential hazards, making defensive drivers better equipped to avoid accidents and minimize the impact of collisions.

Distractions are all around us, including modern technology such as smartphones and car tablets. Being new to driving and still learning the ropes, I am too nervous to do anything but keep my eyes on the road. I understand our generation’s obsession with smartphones, but I cannot understand why someone thinks they can scroll through X while driving. Driver education programs emphasize the dangers of distracted driving by educating drivers about the risks associated with using phones or other distractions. I know this from experience as I currently attend a driving school and all instructors that I have had have drilled this into me. Specific safety concerns are addressed in these classes such as driving in adverse weather conditions, at night, or in heavy traffic. I have one instructor who is a retired police officer and hearing stories of accidents caused by distraction is enough to scare me into never touching my phone while in the car. All this specialized training and personal accounts from the instructors prepare drivers to manage challenging situations more effectively, which reduces the likelihood of deadly accidents.

Reducing the number of deaths related to driving requires a comprehensive approach that involves various organizations and strategies. Public awareness campaigns and driver education programs instill a sense of responsibility and respect for road safety. My uncle’s town has electronic newsletters that remind people of the dangers of the road and distractions. When drivers understand the potential consequences of their actions, they are more likely to drive cautiously and considerately, leading to fewer accidents. Strict enforcement and harsh penalties are deterrents for erratic driving and therefore personnel and resources need to be of the utmost importance in any jurisdiction. Our Arizona laws prohibit cell phone use while driving but I see it all the time and the police do not enforce this law that has been around for over five years. ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ is not going to change behavior. There must be severe consequences for breaking these laws that are in place to save lives.

Speaking of laws, changes in laws to mandate safety features of all vehicles to include airbags, anti-locking braking systems, and electronic stability control systems are very reasonable requests of vehicle manufacturers. We have older vehicles, but my parents ensure our vehicles are maintained properly and have educated me on the basics of what to look for and how to work with a mechanic to ensure proper service. I feel that vehicle inspections should be mandatory for vehicles over five years old to ensure all vehicles on public roads are in good working condition. All these minor changes would reduce the likelihood of mechanical failures leading to accidents.

Infrastructure improvements such as regularly maintaining roads and bridges for potholes or dangerous debris can reduce accidents. Investing in well-lit and designed roads and intersections and incorporating safety features such as pedestrian crossings, well-defined bike lanes, and proper lighting and signage can all ensure a safer driving environment. There are so many roads in my city and towns nearby under construction for expansion and yet older roads remain as ‘pothole allies,’ as my mom calls them. Expansion is necessary and helpful for the safe flow of traffic however older roads should not be in disarray to make way for the new.

Much data needs to be garnered to analyze the causes of accidents and any relationship to locations. As technology increases, more data-driven insights can help identify high-risk areas and tailor interventions accordingly. Investing heavily in research to understand the underlying causes of accidents, including behavioral, environmental, and technological factors, may prove useful in developing a more targeted approach to proper solutions. My city of Chandler has been a pioneer in autonomous driving technology with Waymo cruising our streets, gathering data. Utilizing this research obtained from Waymo and other autonomous and assisted driving technologies can reduce human error and provide more insight into the leading causes of accidents. My mom drove in a Waymo taxi and said that the technology was light years ahead of what we are accustomed to, and she sees benefits in extracting this data to better understand where we can make vehicle adjustments to reduce accidents and improve the safety of vehicles.

Community engagement needs to be a priority across our nation. Encouraging community organizations, schools, and businesses to participate in awareness campaigns will encourage mass positive changes one community at a time. It is appalling, as a new driver, to deal with dodging stupidity and ignorance all around me as I simply drive to school each morning. While I have never been in an accident, I often wonder how that is possible given the number of horrible drivers I see on the road daily. My entire family has been fortunate enough to be on that same accident-free train with me, however, I can honestly say that I am scared to drive most of the time. Drivers Education is not mandatory in Arizona but that does not mean that companies should ignore high schools for simple awareness campaigns. There is a lost opportunity by not making a presence in local high schools.

The lack of care many drivers present for everyone around them, speeding in and out of lanes to gain two cars ahead and ignoring crosswalks and school zones is outrageous and it is up to the communities to change that behavior. My mother and I saw a school bus driver day after day speeding, riding people’s bumpers, and barely stopping to open the doors before a railroad crossing. We called the district, and they assured us that the bus video footage would be reviewed, and the bus driver would receive additional training. In the weeks that followed we saw the bus driver abiding by all the laws and driving safely. We must come together as a family and educate communities about the dangers they are putting themselves and everyone around them in.

I do feel passionate about safe driving because I do not feel safe driving on our roads. My parents have years of experience and knowledge to foresee situations and avoid accidents but the rest of us pray for the day that we have that experience and hope we managed to avoid an accident along the journey. I do my part by following the laws and courteousness that one should extend such as a thank you waive when one lets you over in front of them. If someone is annoyed with my safe speed-limit driving, I just smile and go on about my day. I imagine they are having a rough day and hope this is not the normal daily behavior they exhibit while driving. “Road rage will get me and everyone around me nowhere, except six feet in the ground,” as my father always says. In contemplating more about this project, I realize I could do more to educate others about safe driving. I can utilize my leadership skills and share with my teammates and friends the safe driving tips I have learned while doing this research.

In a perfect world, we could combine all these strategies and more to create a healthy driving environment across the country. It takes a village to fix a problem as big as erratic driving and unsafe roadways. There are various organizations and entities as well as different strategies to combine to make our roads and driving safer. Our officials must make it a priority to ensure the safety of all citizens on the road. If we, as a society, cannot fix this, how will we ever endure flying vehicles?