Be Certain on Drivers Safety or Risk an Uncertain Future

Be Certain on Drivers Safety or Risk an Uncertain Future

Technology has opened up a world of creativity, artistry and fun, but also opens up dilemmas that now plague today’s generation that past generations have not faced. “What if it’s important?”, “Can you show me that quickly?” I’ve only had a pint do you think I’ll be ok?” All of these phrases I have heard from someone who was driving. In this essay I will be pointing out the importance of driving safely and why the need for driver’s education is necessary and important.

I have always considered myself a safe and cautious driver who abides by all rules and takes driving seriously. When I was 17 and eligible to take my test, I found myself failing despite being so close to passing each time. As time passed, I became more and more disheartened whilst I was surrounded by countless classmates that passed under less than satisfactory conditions. As I sat and listened to them tell stories about exceeding the speed limit and driving whilst under the influence, hearing the roaring laughter and watching the high 5’s; I couldn’t help but think that their irresponsibility shouldn’t have warranted a licence. It left me thinking why them and why not me?

Drivers’ education is often given once it’s too late. Lots of people will only receive the relevant driver’s education information once in an accident and scared into abiding by the rules or if they seek it themselves: which is rarely. It should not take a crash or worse, a life, to make people listen. Many people once out of school feel patronised anytime they are sent away on a course, one of these courses being drivers’ safety. I believe the way to solving this is more open discussion between family and friends about driver’s safety, calling out behaviour that could be seen as unsafe. It may seem daunting and scary but by discussing dangerous actions that could lead to accidents with people you know it opens up the floor for people to discuss rather than being lectured or being told they must attend these mandatory events.

There were 1580 reported road deaths in the UK ending in June 2020 according to the government website. This is a terrifyingly high number but the website states this is a decrease compared to the previous year. This could be due to the implementing of more Smart Motorways in 2020 across the UK. These motorways are designed to decrease tailgating, rapid changes of vehicle speed and vehicles going too fast. Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

“I’ve been greatly concerned by a number of deaths on smart motorways, and moved by the accounts of families who’ve lost loved ones in these tragic incidents. I commissioned an urgent stocktake of smart motorways to provide a clearer picture of their safety and make recommendations on next steps. That work has now concluded and overall, evidence shows that in most ways smart motorways are as safe as or safer than conventional ones.” This could be a method of reducing road traffic deaths and incidents.

I lived in China in 2019 and their road systems were fascinating. Far busier than what we have in England or anywhere I have ever visited. I was once in a Chinese taxi with a friend who was native to Chengdu. I went to put on my seatbelt when she laughed “Are you a baby? Why do you need a seatbelt?” I persisted to wear one even with the taunting. On the journey the taxi driver was on his phone voice noting a friend. He looked up only to reason he was heading for a collision with an oncoming car, he managed to swerve and avoid the car. All this experience did was confirm the importance of western safety measure out in place for people driving and for passengers.

The first step you can take to become a safer driver is by taking lessons with an accredited professional driving instructor. Parental lessons may seem tempting with a major cost reduction but a survey done by Vauxhall Motors said that “42% of parents have forgotten the highway code.” Not only that but other factors such as time, personal bad habits and growing tensions between family members can not only strain your relationship but put your safety as a driver in jeopardy.

The next thing you can do especially as a young person or new driver is to not bow to peer pressure. It can be tempting to try to gain social points at any age to try and fit in with what others are doing. Nigel Bartram a Aviva motor expert says “In order to reduce these statistics young drivers and passengers alike need to take personal responsibility for their own actions – this means wearing a seatbelt at all times regardless of who is in the car, driving with fewer passengers and not conforming to peer pressure whilst behind the wheel.”

Safety is non-negotiable but it doesn’t have to be boring. Educate yourself and others to continue using the roads to their maximum intended use. Safe driving.

Amara Browning

Works cited: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-year-ending-june-2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/action-plan-announced-to-boost-smart-motorway-safety

https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2009/10/uk-peer-pressure-putting-unprepared-young-drivers-at-greater-risk-on-uk-roads-5482/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/relationships/fatherhood/11213578/The-hell-of-teaching-your-kids-to-drive.html

https://www.mrsmummypenny.co.uk/children-learning-to-drive/