Irresponsible driving and its consequences

Driving responsible is one of the most important elements of safe driving in curbing the increase in road fatalities. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse in any country” (Jefferson). Therefore, it is prudent for all pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists to have knowledge of the regulations that govern traffic daily operations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 1899 there were only 26 road fatalities. In comparison to a significant increase of 42, 514 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in America alone in 2022. These statistics clearly indicate that as the number of vehicles increases over a considerable period, the number of road fatalities rises in direct proportionality.

Who should be held responsible? Is it the person in the driver’s seat, the tutor or the traffic and transport commission? Everyone has a significant role to play until this trend of dangerous driving is eliminated from our population. At the inception of driving school, tutors play a pivotal role in molding learners to grasp the basic concepts in learning to drive responsible. These key priority areas include maneuvering in a large volume of traffic with patience and coordination. Applying the appropriate hand signals, waiting for pedestrians to cross safely. Furthermore, drivers should always ensure it is safe to move from a minor to main road. These are the important details that every driver must keep in mind and execute whenever they are on the road. Caution should always be exercised while driving on the road. Critical thinking should be paramount in the mind of every driver when faced with difficulties situations on the road.

The World Bank Group is of the view that most of our road fatalities are due to a lack of education in road safety measures amongst our young generation as well as the elderly. In addressing road user behavior and enforcement, they reported that “education is critical for creating sustainable changes in road user behavior” (2). They further suggest that this can be done by heightening awareness through marketing strategies and campaigns to awaken a sense of urgency and create a new cultural outlook on road safety. For instance, officers who are well learnt in Traffic Management can visit the radio and television stations to sensitize the public to alternative routes due to landslides or fallen boulders. Having the citizen interest at heart can garner support and compliance in preventing traffic violations that can result in fatal accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that sleep deprivation is responsible for over 5,000 deaths per year in America alone. This estimate suggests that the total amount, died in drowsy-driving- related motor vehicle crashes across the United States in 2015. The Alcoholics Anonymous (AAA) foundation reported that most of the life’s loss is among the young drivers ages 16-24 in comparison to drivers aged 40-59. They believed that drivers aged 24 and younger were most likely to report falling asleep at the wheel at the time of the fatal crash. Consequentially, this can be because of the late-night club partying and drinking of spirituous liquor in extreme cases. Nowadays, a vast majority of young people who are alcoholics have less responsibility and obligations. They tend to become more nonchalant and unwilling to make collective decisions.

I witnessed the interception and investigation of a young driver who had consumed a large volume of alcohol who carried passengers daily. Most of the vehicular accidents were due to the excessive consumption of alcohol by the individual. After this, it was proven by a breathalyzer test on the victim, and he recorded a reading over a threshold of 70 % of alcohol in his system. He was informed of the results and his detention for violating the traffic laws. He was engaged in a series of counselling sessions about the negative effects that can result in consuming this large quantity of alcohol such as vision impairment. During the process, the individual hinted that he was not aware of the consequences. After, the officer was able to educate him on the penalties and consequences of his actions.

Based on my observations in the field of traffic management. I have seen many victims of road fatalities due to a lack of defensive driving and driving without due care and attention. Most of the times, the details relating to the fatality from the statements given to the Police by the witnesses would give a clear picture of what would have transpired prior to the death of the person. It is discovered that these individuals would have failed to follow road traffic regulations and due process involved in making a more sound and responsible decision. Therefore, the law makers drafting these regulations should put stiffer penalties in place in the event of breaches of traffic laws. This will deter those who are likely to commit infringements and in turn will cause them to adhere to road safety measures for safer communities.