The Underlying Roots of Road Crashes

Driving has become a necessity in the modern day- its vast technological advancements make it easier to travel than at any other time in human history. However, it imposes true risks because it can end lives just as easily as saving them. The requirement of driver education is vital in its effect on reducing the number of deaths on the road. It informs the driver about basic safety laws, traffic laws, and rules for maintaining a car. While this is an important step in driver’s education, the most important aspect of it is learning the consequences if you violate a law. For example, drinking and driving poses serious consequences, and driver’s education programs make it an example to see what will happen if one commits that act. The law and its strict consequences are arguably the most effective tool in making sure everybody follows traffic laws, and that being implemented in the programs has been effective. For anyone who wants to drive, it is important to retain and grasp all the lessons in driver’s education, because if not, it could be the difference between life and death. Using the consequence of death truly makes people aware of their surroundings, which can ultimately create a safer society for everyone.

Numerous steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths overall when driving. While drivers’ education programs are essential for teaching people traffic laws, there are still people who violate these laws with no regard. There are also people who willingly drive drunk or under the influence, even though it’s illegal and incredibly dangerous. Beyond driving programs, there needs to be a social awakening among society, in the act of holding others accountable. If everyone held each other accountable to these despicable acts, a majority of people wouldn’t break these laws, due to public shame. Another way would be for law enforcement to focus on repeat offenders and impose more harsh consequences. Even though similar laws and programs are already in place, law enforcement typically don’t punish people who are actively violating the law, such as someone going 30+ over or swerving across different lanes. If there were more law enforcement present in high-capacity areas, it is less likely there will be people breaking the law. Lastly, preventing road rage. Although this is something not explicitly mentioned in driver education programs, it is an incredibly important aspect to address, as road rage is dangerous and can kill just as easily as drunk driving. In modern times where people have easy access to guns, it is easy to make someone angry while driving and they shoot you with no regard. Road rage happens when a driver has too much ego and is not willing to be a fair driver to win a mental battle against another driver. Most of the time road rage happens over the smallest inconveniences such as tailgating or speeding, but if enacted at the wrong person, you can be in danger. The best way to combat road rage is to let go of your ego and always drive defensively. It is important to remember that although another car might cause an inconvenience, it is simply a small part of your day, and you will most likely never see that car again. Following and understanding these points can drastically reduce crashes and raise awareness among others.

Luckily, I have never been in a car accident, but I have seen numerous ones, mostly due to faulty driving. My experiences with a family member driving have not been the most positive when I was growing up. My father never followed traffic laws. He would speed recklessly, tailgate other drivers, and actively engage in road rage while being under the influence. It was traumatizing, the way he’d drive with his family in the car, with no regard for our lives. He’d continuously drive like that throughout my childhood, with my younger sister sobbing in the background and me having to be the mature one to maintain control, at the age of only 10. Now, neither me nor my sister don’t want to be in the same car as him, because he always had an ego and never admitted that he put our lives at risk. That experience made me a hypervigilant driver today. I always make sure to not tailgate or unnecessarily speed. I also loathe drivers who try to road rage on me, because it risks both of our lives.

Having these negative experiences with driving has only helped me be a better driver. When completing the required driver’s education program, I actively paid attention and made sure to remember and apply the rules when driving. If everyone took the necessary steps to follow traffic laws and practice defensive driving, the risk of car deaths would reduce substantially. However, I still struggle with the mental battle between my ego and another person’s ego. I try to let minor inconveniences go, but even I struggle to get past that mountain. I think true reflection and holding yourself accountable is a great way to learn to leave the ego when driving. I constantly remind myself that I am responsible for my life, and everyone else’s, and I don’t want to be the reason someone doesn’t get to go home at the end of the day.

Furthermore, driver’s education is crucial in learning the fundamentals of the road and can help foster a safer environment for everyone. Also, more law enforcement to punish offenders can help ensure no one would dare break the law. However, it takes more than a program or an increase in law enforcement- it takes a public effort to hold each other accountable to the law. By creating a social environment where it’s taboo to drive irresponsibly, it can just be the catalyst for someone to leave their anger at home or take the necessary safety measures when drinking.