Careful driving: It’s not only about you – be aware of your responbility for others!

Drivers ed Initiative Award 2020 – Essay Mats Brandt

Careful driving: It’s not only about you – be aware of your responbility for others!

Driving a car is a big thing: it means newly gained mobility, a step towards becoming an independent adult. Since I got my driving licence I have come to appreciate it very much – but I am also aware of my responsibility. In Germany we have about 3,000 road deaths a year with a population of 80 million. I think, this comparatively low rate is the result of some very good campaigns and good driver training. Anyone needs to know: you do not only endanger yourself, you jeopardize others as well.

Driver training is an essential component in the prevention of traffic accidents. This includes both theoretical training and practical driving hours. However, it is just as important to point out the dangers in road traffic. Students should be confronted with accident pictures and personal experiences of the driving instructors, accident victims or affected families. Deterrence can help to reduce carelessness and instead develop a sense of responsibility. Additionally, driving safety training explaining the challenges of rain, black ice or obstacles should be mandatory.

There are also many campaigns in Germany to draw attention to the dangers of road traffic. For example, dangerous sections of road are equipped with accident pictures to prevent excessive speeding or mobile phone use. Additional campaigns on the radio repeatedly draw attention to the three biggest problems associated with road accidents: excessive speed, mobile phone use, and alcohol consumption. They help to sharpen the mind and reduce the risk of serious accidents.

Nevertheless, some drivers are unteachable. One of my friends also drove drunk several times until he was stopped by the police with 1.9 per mille. He himself admitted that he needed this incident and the following punishment to realize his faults. Fortunately, no human being has been harmed. But it demonstrates very well: we must be aware of our responsibility for the community. Do I need to send a message while driving? Do I have to use the telephone? And is it worth getting into the car drunk instead of taking a taxi? Life is unaffordable – and even if nothing happens to us as a result of this misbehavior: if we cause harm to others, we will no longer be happy. Not to mention the families of those concerned.

Everybody who obtains a driving license commits to use it responsibly, in the interest of the community. It is not a crime to point out wrongdoing or to intervene. In retrospect, we should have intervened with our friend much earlier. He alone is responsible for this incident, but as a society we are also called upon to look after each other.

Please keep in mind: be aware of your responsibility – it does not end with yourself! Do not endanger others and contribute your part to make sure that they follow the rules. Then hopefully in the future we will have much less road deaths to complain about.

Hamburg, Germany, 31/07/2020