Traffic Education Improves Traffic Safety

Driver education plays a critical role in reducing the number of traffic deaths from driving. According to NHTSA (2019) over 33,000 die each year in traffic collisions. Many of these collisions are avoidable, as they are due to excessive speed, drug or alcohol use, or inattention. These tragic statistics can be reduced through education and enforcement.

One major issue for many drivers is inattention. While they are driving, they are also using their cell phones. This is evident through visual observation while stopped in traffic and seeing the number of people driving by with their phones in their hands, or when driving, seeing their faces pointed downwards constantly. This is dangerous for anyone, but especially inexperienced drivers. With only seconds to react in some situations, having a distraction like a cell phone reduces time to react even more.

Driver education reduces collisions and improves driver and pedestrian safety. While minimum standards are required prior to obtaining a learner’s permit or license, continuing education may improve safety. Education can be mandated at license renewal periods (which could be reduced to every five years). While there is a cost to this, the resultant prevention would be worth it.

Non-profit organizations like MADD and SADD are compelling because they have personal stories to share about how a traffic collision resulted in a tragedy. Much like the mock crash scenarios set up at high schools for prevention, it would be effective if more people were aware of traffic fatalities and their impacts on the survivors. Non-profits could partner with government agencies to deliver more education that prevents collisions.

Social media is also an excellent tool for outreach and education of driving issues. It’s an easy platform that can directly target at risk drivers to provide information and education about issues like speeding, inattentiveness, and impairment. Social media can be used with photographs and videos to share anecdotal stories of the impact of risky driving behavior.

I’m a fairly new driver. My parents worked with me to teach me safe driving habits and shared the consequences of various driving experiences they had, including involvement in collisions. My mom is a police officer and she not only taught me traffic laws, but shared a lot of stories about situations she investigated on the job, and how they impacted others, and her (as the investigator).

Despite being cautious, I have been involved in a crash already. I changed lanes and collided with a vehicle in my blind spot. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the damage was minor, but it scared me so much. Since I began driving, I have realized that I need to slow down because of reaction times and also, I have learned to give myself extra distance behind vehicles, especially motorcycles. I am learning to anticipate the moves of other drivers to be safer myself. I have been with an aggressive driver who yells and gestures at other drivers, and follows too closely, and I was terrified that they would either slam on their breaks, or maybe even shoot us. I never want to be a driver like that, and I was pretty shocked that someone would put me at risk due to their poor impulse control while driving.

To be a better driver, I think it’s important to continuously refresh your knowledge of traffic laws and to be as attentive and courteous as possible. Besides cell phone distractions, people get behind the wheel and engage in microaggressions with other drivers because (like internet trolls) they feel like there is no accountability or consequences for their actions. Fortunately, there are apps and hands-free devices that can assist with inattentiveness, and in the future built-in technology in vehicles for when drivers take their eyes off the road (like speed reduction and alarms). For aggression, drivers can learn coping techniques such as deep breathing, counting, and calming music. Perhaps vehicle technology will monitor blood pressure or voice volume in the future as well, and take reactive measures.

In conclusion, traffic safety impacts all of us, whether or not we drive, and therefore, it’s imperative to continuously implement new measures to improve safety and reduce collisions. While enforcement definitely plays a role, education can make a significant difference by improving driving outcomes and reducing unsafe behaviors. Data can identify the most at-risk age drivers, and education can focus on these groups through both mandated training, and social media campaigns. Traffic safety organizations can utilize high school and college students to create marketing and branding that resonates with other young people. When people can connect over an issue that personally affects them, like traffic safety, we can create positive change.