Anxiety in the Passenger’s Seat

Assessing whether a driver is capable enough to operate a vehicle safely is usually the mandate of driving testing centers as regulated by the government. The consequences of dangerous driving is something most people understand, yet vehicular accidents, sometimes fatal, are still extremely common. The truth of the matter is, no matter how you educate people regarding safe driving – there will still always be a select few who will act irresponsibly by engaging in reckless driving behavior.

In my experience, people who have either been in an accident or have been affected by an accident tend to be more cautious when driving. One thing I think that governments or drive-test officials can do is curate a video mandatory for prospective drivers that shares stories from survivors of car accidents. This will be a more emotional connection than reading about safe driving and will likely allow people to understand it deeper. Educating people on the long-term effects of poor driving, in my opinion, would be more beneficial than repetitively explaining rules.

For example, I remember being in 7th or 8th grade when MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) came to my middle school and gave a video presentation that depicted 3 fatal cases of drunk driving. The cases included a description and “re-enactment” of the crash and followed with accounts from family members of those who died, or from survivors of the crash. I can still remember the cases today, almost 7 years later, and remember a few kids had to leave the gymnasium or started crying while watching the presentation. It was a heavy topic for young kids – but it was handled with grace and in a safe space. In contrast, I remember very few details from my “driver’s-ed” course.

Thankfully, I am one of the few who has never been involved in a serious vehicular accident, but I have been uncomfortable and anxious while being driven by someone else. I know many people, whom I am very close to, who text and drive, or consistently drive significantly over the speed limit, even at night. I grew up near the woods and most streets didn’t have fences or anything keeping wildlife off of the road. I always got anxious when my parents drove home through the woods on a dirt road, at night and still going the speed limit or faster. One time, a herd of deer was crossing one of the main roads, and we hit a fawn when we slammed the breaks. I was young and it scared me so much, I started having a panic attack in the backseat and my parents had to take me home before going back to check if it was still there. Ever since then, I have always driven extra-cautiously at night, especially on roads that animals can access with ease.

When I see someone who is driving me pick up their phone, I get very nervous. Oftentimes it’s a parent and I feel worried about asking them to stop, so instead I always become hyper-alert and watch the road so I can see what’s coming or if we’re drifting so I can call it out because they’re not paying attention. I know I should speak up, but often I just don’t have the courage to do so – it feels like I’d be overstepping. Often, I’ll offer to text for them or look something up on their phone so they can drive.

I think one of the scariest things surrounding driving is not knowing the abilities or state of other drivers on the road, whether you are a driver or a passenger. Improving drivers’ education by creating an emotional connection to learners could make a significant difference and prevent people from getting behind the wheel whether they are impaired due to drugs or alcohol, or aren’t comfortable driving in certain conditions. Sharing stories from people who have lost loved ones because of their driving could also help reduce unsafe driving by adults who are often entrusted to drive others. Sharing stories from people who were unsafe because they were driving alone and got hurt can also help reduce the risk of people being unsafe just because “it’s only their life at risk”, communicating that they can easily hurt others directly or indirectly.

Throughout all of this, I think that some of the most influential lessons are learnt through emotional connection. I think that if a variety of personal stories were presented and required for prospective drivers, significant accident rates and fatalities could be reduced.