The Contribution of Driver Training towards the Decrease in Occurrence of Death while Driving

Motor vehicle collisions are among the top causes of death and injuries worldwide. In fact, road traffic injury is the major cause of death among individuals aged 15-29 years. While an accumulation of factors leads to the accidents from environmental to faulty equipment, human error by far tops the list. Thus, one of the most important elements to minimizing road accidents is driver’s education. Not only is it possible for one to learn how to drive through driver’s education, but also to become risk-aware, be able to manage their own driving behavior, and learn to make sensible decisions that keep accidents away.

Driver’s education is mandatory since it teaches basic skills that are the foundation of safe driving. Defensive driving is about driving a car, yet complete courses address defensive driving practices, traffic laws, and what to do in an emergency. A well-trained driver will learn to foresee potential dangers on the road, react to dangerous situations appropriately, and steer clear of such typical accident causes as speeding, drinking and driving, or texting and driving. Aside from this, driver education dissuades dangerous driving such as driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, the most widespread reason for road crashes and casualties. Aside from information, driver education also instills a positive attitude towards driving. The majority of accidents are triggered by unsafe actions such as speeding, tailgating, or not wearing seat belts. In an attempt to teach a lesson in responsibility and awareness, driving schools try to instill a culture of defensive driving. If people are aware of the dangers their actions present to themselves and other users of the road, they will be more careful to follow traffic regulations, use seat belts, and avoid distractions such as texting while driving.

Apart from the structured driver’s education courses, there are some other habits that can be formed to reduce the number of casualties on the roads due to driving.

Strict enforcement of traffic laws, adoption of newer safety measures in vehicles, and public awareness are a few. Police departments, for example, can patrol drunk driving or enforce speed limits more vigorously so that defensive driving behavior becomes second nature. Additionally, newer technology such as collision avoidance systems, automatic braking, lane departure warning, and driverless cars can actually reduce the impact of human fallibility on the road. Public health campaigns can even serve to inform citizens of the dangers of driver distraction and seat belt usage. Personally, I myself have had one experience in which I was involved in a motor vehicle accident.

I struck a deer while driving and ruined my car. I was lucky not to have been injured, but it was a true wake-up call to the extent of the dangers of driving and how cautiously one needs to be. Though hitting an animal in the road seems like an unavoidable accident that one could not have possibly avoided hitting, it happened to me as a reminder of the arbitrariness and vulnerability of a driver. It prompted me to be more attentive to my surroundings, especially when driving on rural roads where animals might suddenly come onto the road. It also made me understand how important it is to be an attentive driver and prepared for the unexpected at any time. In addition to my own experience, I have also seen friends and relatives driving dangerously, thereby also making a case for greater education and awareness. I have witnessed individuals text and drive, drive speedily, or fail to stop at stop signs, and all of these are issues that increase the likelihood of an accident happening. Driving is a privilege, yet one that comes with a degree of responsibility, and one must understand that if others do not perform their role as drivers, then they put themselves and other people at risk.

As a motorist, there are several things that I can do to be an even more safe driver and to get other people to do the same.

In the second instance, I must always practice defensive driving, such as following traffic laws, keeping a safe distance from other cars on the road, and being alert while driving. This involves not distracting myself, such as texting on my phone or snacking while driving, and wearing my seatbelt at all times. I can also let my friends and family know the importance of defensive driving and request them to take action as well. I can respectfully remind somebody of the danger if I notice him or her being unsafe or even drive myself if the other person is unable. I am also able to shape safer road culture for roads in my area through the drive of issues on better road infrastructure, police enforcement patrols, and greater awareness on hazards posed by driving under alcohol influence or driving distracted. Local campaigning, for instance, or making people aware of how vital safe driving really is, can lead to the formation of public opinion and behavior change.

Together, if we all do our part to drive a little more safely, we as a community will experience fewer car accidents and deaths. Finally, one of the best things that I can do is keep myself current on more recent trends in roadside safety, from safety features of new cars to policy on traffic rules. I must also strive to become a better driver every day, either by learning defensive driving tips or just learning through driving. For example, despite my bad luck when I struck a deer, still I can derive a lesson for the same in that I never drive in the wrong speed and am extra careful, especially when driving in late night or early morning hours where animals tend to move on roads.

Driver’s training, thus, is a relevant factor to reduce the rates of fatalities resulting from driving. By educating people on the knowledge and skills necessary to be safe drivers, we can reduce the frequency of accidents. Education will not end deaths alone, however; increased enforcement of the law, improved technology, and public education needs to become involved if we are to reduce driving deaths further. We all have a responsibility as drivers not only to drive ourselves safely, but to encourage others’ safety as well. In one way or another, whether by education, example, or endorsement of safety campaigns, we can all play a role in helping to make the highways safe for everyone.