Driving and Surviving on the Road

One of the most exciting times in new drivers’ lives is the day they receive their driver’s permit. With that small plastic card, the world seems to open up, and the feeling of independence that comes with a pocket-size, state-issued card is almost overwhelming. Rarely, in those first moments after officially becoming a legal driver, are there thoughts of the immense responsibility that comes along with joining the millions of drivers with whom we share the road. But in the United States, where motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death among nearly demographic, it is imperative to have a comprehensive driver’s education course before climbing behind the wheel of a car.

While practicing driving skills with parents or other licensed adults is valuable, it can also lead to frustration and feelings of pressure, which are not conducive to learning. Also, many of the rules of the road are so engrained in experienced drivers that they do not necessarily remember to teach them to new drivers, even though they are extremely important to safe driving. In contrast, certified driving instructors are trained and experienced in educating new drivers how to safely and properly use our roadways, and because they are usually not well-known to the student, the pressure of getting everything right the first lesson is much lower. Based upon my own experience, driver education courses and programs are the only effective way to reduce the number of driving-related deaths.

During my driver’s education course, we focused not just on the rules of the road but also, the importance of situational awareness, which includes other vehicles (including emergency vehicles), pedestrians, and topography. Learning to be constantly aware of your surroundings was not easy, but it was drilled into my brain to recognize when I was following a little too closely, when I was required to yield the right of way (and who had the right of way in any given situation), where and when I should stop for school buses unloading children, and how to maneuver and position my vehicle when emergency vehicles were approaching, which can also save the lives of critical patients in need of immediate medical attention. Probably the most often ignored aspects of driver education, when not conducted by professional driving instructors, include lessons involving pedestrians and the topography surrounding roadways.

In my area, and in many other places across the country, pedestrian traffic is common, and many pedestrians I encounter are visitors, unfamiliar with the area. Because of this, it is crucial to be aware of not just other cars, but also those using sidewalks and crosswalks. Unfortunately, pedestrians are just as likely to be severely injured or killed by drivers who are not trained to pay careful attention to anything other than nearby vehicles. As a result, I watch news reports almost daily where pedestrians are hit and killed because of driver error. It is a tragic loss of life that could almost always be prevented if a driver is situationally aware.

Similarly, topography is a major contributor to motor vehicle accidents, and during my training with a certified driving instructor, we practiced driving in areas with steep terrains, small or non-existent roadside shoulders, and sharp, nonvisible curves or turns in the path of travel. Topics such as these are not generally taught by untrained driving instructors but are extremely significant in decreasing the number of driving-related deaths.

Once new drivers complete a driver education program with trained professionals, there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Recent technology, such as cellular phone applications, in-car devices (speed limiters, recording monitors, and alcohol-screening equipment), which allow drivers and parents or guardians to review and correct any unsafe driving habits or potentially dangerous events that occur while the vehicle is in use. Although some young drivers push back against the use of such devices, they act as a deterrent for new drivers and provide important information to identify and address risky driving practices. Another way to reduce driving-related deaths is to reduce the number of potential distractions a new driver faces while operating a vehicle, including limiting the number of passengers permitted in the car with a new driver, lowering the available volume settings for in-car media, and requiring new drivers to place cellular phones in ‘Drive’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode.

Further, driving-related deaths can be reduced by continuing to educate drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. With the number of widely-available ridesharing service providers that are easily accessible at any time or place, there is absolutely no reason anyone should find themselves with no choice but to drive intoxicated or ride with an intoxicated driver. Finally, and one of the easiest ways to decrease the number of driving-related deaths is continued emphasis on the use of seatbelts. Statistics show a dramatic increase in motor vehicle deaths when seatbelts are not utilized, and the most serious and fatal injuries are generally the result of ejection from the vehicle after a collision. Restrained drivers and passengers are much less likely to sustained life-threatening injuries in the event of an accident, and manufacturers are constantly improving audible and visible warning signals to alert drivers and passengers when seatbelts are not engaged.

Writing on this topic is extremely personal to me because of my own experience in an accident. It was a perfect day just after Christmas, the sun was shining, the air was crisp but not cold, and I was with my family and friends testing out a new vehicle they received as a present. We snuck away from our parents and piled in, none of us wearing seatbelts – there would not have been enough even if we were acting responsibly and using common sense. But, like many young, new drivers, we were not. The music was blaring, we were speeding, all of us were talking, just enjoying the freedom of being on the road on our own. It could have been a commercial for distracted driving.

Without warning, we approached a sharp curve, the driver attempted to get us back into the roadway but overcorrected. Immediately, the excitement we felt was gone in seconds as the vehicle tumbled and flipped onto the hard asphalt. Three of us were ejected, including me, and I was trapped underneath – I could not free my arm or leg, blood poured from my face and head, and could only scream (or what I thought was a scream but was actually a muffled cry for help). The others could not lift the vehicle or pull me free, and I spent what seemed like hours waiting for first responders to free me and take me to the closest emergency room. Luckily, my injuries were not life-threatening, but they permanently limited the function of my arm and shoulder and left my face, arm, and leg severely scarred. Even though the scarring on my body has been difficult, the fear, helplessness, and guilt I felt, and still feel, have left permanent emotional scars that make driving or riding as a passenger an act of courage even still. But, those memories also make me a better driver because I never want to be in or put someone else in that position ever again.

In addition to all the other practices listed above to reduce the number of driving-related deaths, there are additional steps I can and do take to be a better and safer driver. Despite the many studies that show sleep-deprived drivers are just as dangerous as intoxicated drivers, most drivers (especially new drivers) do not realize how deadly driving without proper rest can be. Reaction time is diminished, situational awareness is almost non-existent, and falling asleep at the wheel is a real possibility. To reduce these dangers, I never drive or ride with anyone who is not well-rested. Even airplane pilots and commercial truck drivers have federal regulations that dictate the hours of rest necessary between trips.

Finally, I was taught to always drive defensively, understanding that no matter how safely I drive, other drivers may not know or practice the same safe driving skills I learned during my driver’s education program. I do my best to keep a constant lookout for other drivers, and if I notice any erratic or reckless drivers around me, I avoid them by taking a different route or I distance myself from them. While I am confident in my own driving skills, it is impossible to know what training or education other drivers have received, and as they say, ‘defense is the best offense.’

In conclusion, the lessons learned in a driver’s education program, taught by professionals in the industry, are critically important and necessary to ensure the safety of our roadways and the drivers and pedestrians that use them. Both new and experienced drivers can benefit greatly from participating in a comprehensive course involving driver education when conducted by trained professionals. The rules of the road are easily mastered through memorization, but an experienced instructor goes beyond the textbooks and provides practical advice and expertise to drivers, which translates to safer roadways and less driving-related fatalities.