Everything’s Bigger in Texas

Driver education reduces the number of driver-related deaths by prompting fewer accidents, less risky behaviors, and acknowledging defensive driving skills. Proper driving education allows for a deeper foundation of road laws such as traffic rules, hazard awareness, and sign recognition, at a safe speed all of which can be life-saving and reduce the likelihood of potential accidents. Recognizing risky behaviors, such as drinking under the influence, notes their consequences towards oneself and others, creating a sense of responsibility, and are less likely to engage in such behaviors. Similarly, this education informs one what do to in unusual events such as weather emergencies, construction zones, or busy streets. With the base skills of education when driving, individuals are likelier to conduct proper reasoning and solutions when driving and encountering an unfamiliar situation.

Steps that can be taken to reduce driver-related deaths can include further than implementing driver safety through educational programs. Involving local communities and organizations to spread awareness and quick tips as a form of public health may lead to this spread of education. Enforcing focus on road infrastructure by advocating to governments is a great tool to improve safety for all users; pedestrians, bystanders, and drivers alike. With technological enhancements, consistently updating potential road hazards through online maps and applications, results in better preparedness before stepping on the road and can also pinpoint high-risk groups or areas in need of safety. This is especially important to adolescents, where learning to drive is a form of gaining independence and is a reason to be excited but are also inexperienced and are the age group prone to be in an accident.

The most prominent experience I’ve had when driving was in my car accident, almost three years ago. It has been about one year since I got my driver’s license and that evening I was driving home from a friend’s house. I had to drive the back road due to construction on the main road, and I was focusing on the lane in front of me, listening to music, while thinking of the tasks I had to do when a drunk driver’s truck plowed into the driver’s side of my vehicle. Fortunately, it was not a direct impact, but a few inches to the right it would have. I had no serious injuries, but I was required to enroll in physical therapy due to my inability to move my muscles. I still endure chronic pain today. I remember thinking what-ifs, such as what if I left my friend’s house sooner or what if I had driven a little slower or faster so we would not have come into contact. This emotional processing took a toll on my mental health as the sudden incapacity to move from my bed overwhelmed me. Most personally, my experiences scared my little brother, 11, into disinterest in learning to drive when he gets older. I felt the need to bring attention that driving should be a privilege, not a threat and I slowly began to recuperate my mental and physical state.

From my experience, I’ve learned that I can believe I am a safe driver by following the speed limit, making sure my headlights and my car are up to date, and making sure I am capable of driving as per law e.g. having the appropriate eye lenses. Although a great factor in decreasing my likelihood, there is no way to ensure the people I am driving alongside on the streets and highways are taking similar precautions. That is my biggest takeaway, especially living in Texas, a state known for having the highest speed limits, insufficient infrastructure for unpredictable weather, and competitive driving, often leading to the numerous road rage incidents we see on the news the next morning. Being vigilant and practicing defensive driving, not only through court-mandated legislation, is vital in keeping yourself safe and helping others maintain safety as well. My steps include maintaining a safe distance, observing blind spots, and limiting distractions, such as talking on the phone while listening to music. I emphasize limitation, rather than depletion, because realistically driving can be boring without some entertainment, and such distractions, like playing music, can help avoid zoning out or being unalert on the lengthy highways during longer commutes. When in doubt or feeling intimidation due to other drivers, drive on what is considered “the slow lane” instead of the passing lane.

Several people who drive recklessly do not directly know a loved one who has been negatively impacted by this. Spreading awareness does not have to mean frightening someone into taking safety precautions. Though sometimes effective, it should not be a short-term measure to take. Rather an alternative approach of calm discussions, education, and leading through example can be a great way to promote safety.