In The Driver’s Seat

In The Driver’s Seat

I live in the Scottish Highlands, one of most beautiful areas in Scotland, but with the only gateway being one of the most dangerous roads; the A9. In recent years the number of road fatalities in this area has been increasing. To reduce the number of deaths related to driving we first need to look at the causes of the majority of these. Worldwide, the majority of accidents are due to driver error, with many involving younger drivers. Many cases, including those I personally have heard of, are due to people not paying attention, speeding (which happens extremely often on the windy country roads where I live; although the speed limit is 60mph it is not uncommon to see cars driving at up to 90mph), or trying to overtake in areas which are dangerous to do so. People do not take into account that their actions, which may only take a split-second to decide and act upon, will have ripple effects on all of the other drivers on the road. Although people may think that they are protected in a car, in reality they are in a metal shell which could crack as easily as an egg. Personally, I have never been in a car crash. However, I have witnessed family and friends driving irresponsibly; for instance, speeding, not indicating properly or looking at phones.

It is for these reasons that drivers ed is important. Being taught by professional instructors allows students to become more confident and safe drivers, whilst ensuring that any bad habits of family or friends are not picked up. Additionally, they learn how to communicate with someone else in the car, and have someone to point out potential hazards not only to themselves, but also of their actions to others. Drivers ed allows the theory of driving to be taught and understood, whilst ensuring drivers know the consequences if they don’t follow this safely before allowing them to drive unassisted.

As it is younger newer drivers, who are more inexperienced and may be overconfident, who are mainly involved in accidents they need to be encouraged to drive more carefully. In the UK the ‘black box’ which is promoted by insurance companies is extremely useful as it records mileage, speed, steering and braking, location and the time of driving. The more safely you drive the lower the cost of insurance, providing an incentive to drive more cautiously. Refresher driving courses and tests should be mandatory, as skills can be lost over the years. I think this is especially important for the elderly, as it can be very difficult for family members to get them to stop driving if they think they are no longer fit.

To be a safer driver I don’t succumb to peer pressure, and above all think about the consequences of stupid decisions to both myself and others. If any family or friends are driving recklessly, I also encourage them to do the same.