In the Drivers Seat

What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?

Driver’s education plays a pivotal role in reducing deaths in several different ways. The first way is it educates us on the basic to complex traffic rules. Learning these rules helps us recognize and equips us with the knowledge to avoid potential hazards and helps us develop defensive driving strategies.

Driver’s education also helps us learn the mechanical aspects of driving a motor vehicle. In a simulated driving you can practice challenging situations where you actually get a feel for how to maneuver the car and putting no one in real life in danger. You are able to discuss and analyze these scenarios and they are able to constructively critique what your decisions were if not correct. This is a great opportunity as there is no real-life risk. If you are out in a real car with an instructor, they can discuss with you the events in real time and tell you what if anything you could have done differently or predicted the other driver would do. These crucial techniques minimize the risk of accidents and potential fatalities.

The main importance of driver’s education is so much more though. It helps the new driver develop awareness and teaches us to have a responsible attitude toward operating a motor vehicle. We cannot predict the actions of other drivers and even road conditions can change very quickly. Driver’s education helps develop our critical thinking skills and helps us learn to anticipate and respond to possible scenarios.

Driver’s education also addresses the realness of driving and the great responsibility and seriousness of operating a vehicle. They emphasize the potential consequences of irresponsible driving such as any type of cell phone usage, speeding, driving under the influence, and, general distraction. You literally have yourself and other people’s lives in your hands.

There are several steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. In an overall picture, there must be stricter enforcement and consequences for violating traffic laws. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) every day approximately 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes or about 1 person every 39 minutes. NHTSA stated that in 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. This number is staggering especially since they were avoidable.

Promoting alternative transportation options such as increasing bus routes, light rails, carpooling, this can provide a safter option for a person that may be intoxicated to use a different means of transportation and it decreases the number of vehicles on the road.

Also, designing roadways that are safer with better lighting or clearer signate can help. Separate lanes for different vehicles such as trucks and cars, pedestrians and cyclists can significantly reduce risks. Speed cameras at high-risk areas along with message trailers are very effective in reducing traffic related deaths.

Continued required education for competency and accountability in high-risk groups such as young drivers, multi-violation drivers, and even elderly drivers can decrease deaths.

New technology in vehicles can also play a role in reducing driving fatalities such as lane departure warnings, visual alerts on the side mirror or window frame that light up when a car is detected in a blind spot area.

Steps I can take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road are many and can start before, I even enter the car. I can ensure that my vehicle is safe to drive on the road by regular servicing my vehicle. I can ensure that all my lights and turn signals are working and check the tires to ensure they are not going flat. I can also make sure that I leave early enough time to get to my destination so I am not rushed and tempted to speed to be on time. I can minimize distractions while driving such as completely silencing my phone, no texting or holding my phone in any capacity while driving. I can also avoid any other activity that could distract my driving like putting on lipstick, eating, adjusting music or having heated discussions. If I have passengers, I can advise them to not get too loud and to allow me to concentrate on the road. If I have an urgent matter that needs to be addressed on the phone, I can pull over in a safe location and discuss while not driving. I can also use defensive driving techniques by using all turn signals and check blind spots before turning or moving into another lane. I can check the weather before driving to be aware of the road conditions and possible changes. I can stay calm and not react to aggressive drivers. When I am first at a red light, I wait a few seconds before going once it turns green to make sure no one has decided to beat the light and could potentially hit me. I also assess how many cars are coming before pulling out into traffic. Waiting for an extra car to two to go past is so much easier then risking getting hit. On a more personal level, I prefer to be the driver as this allows me to have control in making the decisions and not putting myself into a situation that I would feel uncomfortable driving with someone. I also have Life 360 on my phone which provides not only myself but my family an update on my driving and shows my speed for my parents to monitor. Last, I pray for a safe trip while driving.

I have not been in a car accident but, I was with my father when a deer ran out in front of us and because he was driving slower as he was aware this was an area where deer are known to frequent was able to step on his break. He used this opportunity to teach me to be alert for deer especially at dawn and dusk and to look for deer crossing signs or just be aware especially in wooded areas.