Driving: The Social Contract

To drive is a privilege, not a right that we have in civil society.  We all agree to obtain a certain level of proficiency and knowledge in driving before we get behind the wheel. We expect those who drive to understand and respect the rules of the road and proper civil etiquette.  That is to say that in order to operate a vehicle in this society, we all must agree to an unspoken social contract.  A contract that says that as a driver when I approach a crosswalk, I will stop for pedestrians and fully expect reciprocation as a pedestrian.  This is why we can freely walk across a busy intersection when the “walk” sign flashes without the fear of a car jumping out to hit us. 

When this social contract is broken and people fail to abide by the rules, i.e. someone gets behind the wheel after too much to drink or another runs a red light, or doesn’t stop at a stop sign; then society pays a price with accidents and worse, preventable deaths.  This places us all in danger.  The more educated and informed drivers are, the fewer accidents and preventable deaths should occur as they clearly understand the rules that are designed to keep us safe. 

I believe there are several steps that can be taken to significantly lower the number of deaths related to driving. It is my belief that if driving education programs were modernized with technology such as driving simulators and Artificial Intelligence this would result in driving becoming a more interactive and engaging experience.  The educational value would be greatly enhanced and more cutting edge, therefore, leading to safer drivers.  I also think that additional testing for elderly drivers which could ensure they possess the reflexes and skill to safely drive would be greatly beneficial.  I’m not exactly sure what age is appropriate for this test, but when renewing a license past a certain age this test should be a requirement.  

We should also incentivize driving education by providing programs at schools for actual class credit or grades during a student’s high school years.  This type of program would increase participation in safe driving simply because more kids would have access to this program if it were a part of the school curriculum.  This initiative would inevitably lead to a more educated civilian-driving population.

Unfortunately, I do have first-hand experience and was in a car accident last year when I was rear-ended while driving in traffic on the highway.  Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in either car, but it was a frightening experience I hope to never have again. The driver was following too close and when traffic up ahead of me stopped abruptly, he slammed into the back of my car.  Was he on his cell phone or not following the rules of the road and keeping a safe distance? I am not certain, but he was at fault for the accident.

There are several steps that I can personally take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road. Driving undistracted by my cell phone is top of the list for me and I am sure many others.  The more attention and awareness we have, the safer we all will be. Another important measure is to simply follow the rules of the road. This should go without saying, however, in practice many people still run lights or fail to stop fully at stop signs. My family uses a safe driving app called Life 360 which is great for tracking speed and is a way to instill a system of accountability. I would suggest all drivers and their families install this on their phones. Finally, maintaining the speed limit and keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you, would help prevent compounding catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes, as drivers would have enough time to slow down to avoid a possible collision.

In summary, driver education is critical for ensuring road safety.  It equips people with the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be responsible and safe drivers. Reducing the number of driving-related deaths is vital as it helps prevent tragic human losses, preserves the lives of the driver and public, and minimizes the impact on families and communities affected by such accidents.  Most importantly, safe driving and driving education contribute to creating safer roads and fostering a culture of responsible driving. We are all responsible for signing this unwritten social contract. This contract is akin to a driver’s honor code.  If this social contract was followed by even half the drivers on the road, I am certain the number of senseless deaths and accidents would be decreased exponentially. I will be the first to start and sign this contract, thus vowing that safe driving will begin with me.