The Safety of Driving

The Safety of Driving

In this modern time, driving has become an integral part of our society. In most cases, if you wanted to survive and thrive in life, you have to learn how to drive. Because of this, teenagers have to learn at the age of eighteen with a partner older than 21 and then pass the driver’s test to legally drive. But at that age, teenagers are susceptible to many distractions such as making phone calls, texting, smoking, eating or drinking while driving. These distractions have led to various accidents and incidents that put the lives of these teenagers and people on the road in danger. It is a good driving habit to avoid all activities that cause distractions for the safety of all road users.

When people use their phones while driving, it creates more risks for accidents and incidents of car crashes. In some cases, car crashes are caused by people with their phones in their hands texting or calling other people. These forms of distracted driving had been reported for years. In 2019, “a statistical projection of traffic fatalities for the first quarter of the year shows that an estimated 8,110 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes” (1) because of distracted driving. These crashes happen more on highly congested roads and highways where distracted driving could easily cause accidents because there are many vehicles that drive close to each other. Distracted drivers are known to be less aware of traffic situations and are less prepared to react quickly to sudden changes in traffic flow. Due to their reduced reaction time to sudden changes in traffic situations, distracted drivers are prone to accidents that can be avoided by always having eyes on the road.

Experts on road safety have suggested simple instructions on how to avoid distractions caused by using phone while driving. Not calling or texting while driving is top on the list of the suggestions. For emergency or important calls and texts, pulling off the road into a safe road corridor is encouraged. Because phones have road navigation apps that help drivers find directions, drivers are advised to use phone holders. This enables a driver to have both hands free to drive while still making use of a phone for directions.

Driving with no distractions from using phone is important for all drivers, especially for young and inexperienced drivers. Absence of distractions allows for more awareness of the surroundings and more time to look at the road to plan how to safely drive through changing traffic situations. A driver needs to keep watchful eyes on how vehicles around him/her are moving and anticipate changes in their movements that could cause a traffic problem. Road safety experts describe this as defensive driving as it enables drivers to drive safely by being careful on how they drive and at the same time watching out for bad driving by other drivers.

Drivers who are distracted by phone have to understand that they are responsible for their safety and that of other road users. For road safety to be maintained by such drivers, they are advised to do the following: “turn your cellphone on “silent”, completely turn your cellphone off, put your cellphone out of reach (i.e., in the trunk or glove box), or download an app that prevents you from texting while driving” (2).

Drivers who either smoke, drink or eat while driving create high risks for car crashes as they are also distracted from paying enough attention to traffic situations. Drinking alcohol or smoking illicit drugs could lead to intoxication and dangerous driving habits that cause high number of car crashes. Driving under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs are serious offenses related to dangerous driving, which could lead to imprisonment if the dangerous driving causes a death. “Rule 148 of the Highway Code includes smoking as one of the distractions to be avoided when driving or riding: Other notable distractions include eating and drinking” (3).

Stopping or avoiding habits that cause driving distractions can be difficult for some people. There are ways to replace these habits with more beneficial ones. For example, let friends know that you do not talk on the phone or text while driving, do not call or text other drivers, do not smoke or drink before or while driving. These strategies can help save lives on the road if taken correctly and seriously by drivers. There is need to promote these road safety strategies to make more people become aware of them so that they can become more mindful of their activities before or while driving.