The Implementation of Technology for Safer Roads

The Implementation of Technology for Safer Roads

The way technology has impacted cars and our mobility has been revolutionized and transformed in the last decade. Cars can basically drive themselves and we now count on alarms, cameras, and even sensors that make being behind the wheel easier for everyone. However, this is no reason to let our guard down. Now more than ever, even though we have these modern adaptations to driving, it should not be a reason to be any less aware of the rules of the road.

 

Nowadays it is very common—and unfortunate—for young adults to get into car accidents due to irresponsible alcohol consumption. Sadly, someone in my family passed away due to this. I had a 17-year-old cousin who had too much to drink one night with his friends, and they made the unfortunate decision to drive down the highway in this state. Regrettably, things took a bad turn, and because he was not wearing a seat belt, he did not make it through the accident. This just shows how nobody is exempted in a driving accident. It was a big lesson for everyone that surrounded him on how we should never let our guard down when driving and follow the rules in place. After this happened, I found myself in extreme shock, thinking how many people around me had done the same thing as he did and could have ended the same way.

 

I started looking at driver safety in a different way, wondering how I could educate myself more and those around me to avoid such a tragic event again. Not only is drunk driving a cause of accidents, but things like texting and driving, speeding, or road rage are a few others that can cause accidents. An action I started taking was reminding people around me about the dangers of drunk driving. I would tell them about my cousin’s accident whenever they were being stubborn about drunk driving and call a cab for them instead. Personally, I researched my alcohol limit based on my height and weight while proactively choosing to carpool or ride an Uber whenever I go out to drink. Despite my personal efforts, I believe that real change will only happen after change is impacted on society as a whole. People should learn to be responsible even before something bad happens.Therefore, there are a few things I believe would help road safety improve.

 

Driver education is important because it not only makes everyone aware of proper road norms, but it can also reduce the amount of deaths as a result of driving. A way to implement driver’s education could be by making driving lessons a requirement instead of an option for anyone who wishes to get their license, applicable to not only underage people. I believe this will improve everyone’s overall performance on the road. It can help prevent, if not eliminate, accidents further. Another good way to prevent accidents due to drunk driving would be encouraging more safety protocols in establishments that sell alcohol. With the technology we have now, an idea that comes to mind is creating a security box in establishments where you must place your car keys and they can only be opened if you blow on a breathalyzer and are in the proper levels to be capable of driving. Lastly but most important of all would be to keep spreading awareness about driving safety through propaganda. Education in school about the subject and personal statements and stories former victims share to create awareness are great tools that personally impacted me. Taking advantage of the technology I mentioned earlier, there could be mechanisms implemented into cars that could help as well. An example could be a compartment that makes you blow in a breathalyzer before driving a car that will only unlock if you’re in the allowed range to drive, which would be very useful. In regards to speeding, an implementation that avoids going above speed limits, depending on the area you’re in, would be a great way to avoid accidents as well. The technology I am talking about might take years to develop, but reinforcing safe driving in education is key for driving accidents to be less frequent.

 

We always hear about tragic accident stories, but unfortunately it is only when it happens to you that you look at it with more seriousness. Personally, I wish the circumstances in which I took driving education more seriously were in a different scenario that did not involve losing a loved one (despite it being a strong reminder of how precious life is). While some matters are out of our hands, I hope people will continue to take precautions on the matter of driving, especially drinking and driving. I also hope that technology will be on our side in the future to encourage and ensure that drunk driving is reduced or even eliminated. That action would decrease deaths caused by driving accidents significantly and would create a safer road experience for everyone behind the wheel.