Focusing on the Road Ahead

Imagine you receive a phone call alerting you that a beloved family member is in critical condition after being hit by a careless driver. A myriad of emotions would flood your mind; worry, shock, anger, disbelief. I am sure you would be asking yourself many questions about why the driver wasn’t paying attention? Why was it your beloved family that was put in this tragic situation? Could this have been avoidable? According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there are roughly 230 million drivers in the United States resulting in approximately 100 vehicular accidents a day. This is a jarring statistic as it highlights the dangers of driving. To reduce and prevent accidents, driver education is a simple way to teach individuals effective road safety skills that can drastically reduce and prevent dangerous accidents.

Many measures can be taken to reduce the amount of vehicular related deaths. Keen observation is a simple yet vital tool to improving road safety. When driving, always observe other vehicles on the road near you. A driver should not only observe in front of them but also beside and behind them. It is a good idea for drivers to check in their rear view mirror every few seconds to maintain a clear picture of what is occurring with other vehicles on the road. Observation can also be used to look and plan ahead. When driving, an individual should look at least twelve seconds ahead, as scanning could prevent an accident that could happen up to that point. Observation is also important because there is activity constantly occurring around the driver. Whether it be children playing outside, an animal running across the road, or another car, the driver should always be observant to the world around. Equally as important, focus is another essential driving technique. A driver needs to be focused and not be distracted. A scholarly source states, “Distracted driving is an established cause of motor vehicle crashes, for all ages. Nearly 60% of crashes involving younger drivers are linked to distraction” (AAAFTS, 2015) Whether the driver is on their phone, radio, or talking to others in the car, this can be a major distraction. If the driver is distracted and not focused this can easily cause an accident that can endanger the driver or others around them. Being a courteous driver is another important means to prohibiting car accidents. A driver should be courteous to other drivers around them. Drivers can be courteous by going the speed limit, using their blinker, and following the simple road safety rules. Non-courteous drivers are more prone to causing accidents as their impatience and mistakes can put others’ lives at risk. A courteous driver can greatly prohibit car accidents because many accidents are a result of an irresponsible driver.

Luckily, I have never been in a serious car accident, however, my father was recently in a car accident that resulted in his car being totaled. His car accident involved seven other vehicles on a major interstate. The accident was a result of a driver not being focused and scanning ahead when an ambulance was pulling out onto the road. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries or fatalities in this incident. Vehicular accidents can be very serious as they can end in property damage, financial loss, bodily injury, or even death. For this reason, drivers should make smart choices on the road, by observing, focusing, and being courteous.

I can take numerous steps to being a safer driver on the road. The first step is to pay close attention to the road. If I solely pay attention to the road and cars around me while driving, consequently drivers around me are deemed safer. Another step is learning simple safety skills. Some examples are not texting while driving, following speed signs, and wearing a seat belt. One simple way that I increase focus on the road and away from my phone is to set up “Do Not Disturb.” “Do Not Disturb” is an app on phones that sends out a text message explaining that the driver is busy whenever the car is in motion. This app prohibits drivers from receiving texts or calls, which can greatly be a distraction. This helpful application is just one way that greatly improves focus on the road. Wearing a seatbelt is the greatest of all life saving steps when in a vehicle. Seatbelts act as lifesavers during tragic car accidents. The CDC states, “Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash. People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash.” (CDC, 2011) This statistic is reliable evidence that a driver who is wearing a seatbelt is less prone to serious injury when taking part in an accident. In saying this, all of these safety skills may be deemed unnecessary to some, but you may never know when these examples will save your life.

Overall, Driver Education is extremely beneficial to a new or inexperienced driver. Driver’s Education can decrease the chances of a future accident because it teaches individuals to observe, focus, and be considerate to those around you. With all things considered, I encourage drivers to take part in drivers ed and to practice safe and responsible driving because you never know when you may receive a terrifying, tragic phone call.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Distracted Driving Behaviors and Beliefs among Older Adults: A LongROAD Analysis of the Training, Research, and Education for Driving Safety Study. September 2017.https://aaafoundation.org/distracted-driving-behaviors-beliefs-among-older-adults-longroad-analysis-training-research-education-driving-safety-study/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Policy Impact: Seat Belts. Center for Disease and Control Prevention. January 3, 2011.

https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/seatbeltbrief/index.html