Drivers Education and How to Reduce the Number of Deaths Related to Driving

Driver Education is important in reducing the number of deaths on the road for several reasons. First it serves to educate people on the rules, regulations, and proper driving habits. Secondly, it can accomplish this by educating drivers before they take to the road. Quite often, the first introduction people have to driving is through a driver education course. This makes it even more important that proper driving is learned from the beginning and before driving on actual streets with other cars. Finally, the driving course can be used as a strategy to provoke fear regarding the negative outcomes of driving irresponsibly. So many accidents are caused by texting and driving, drinking and driving, not following rules, or simply acting recklessly while driving. Informing people and letting them see the horrible consequences of these actions can help convince them that it is not worth it to take risks while driving.

Several steps can be taken to reduce the numbers of deaths related to driving. For example, I have noticed that some cars automatically lock when the car reaches a certain speed. Similarly, phone features should lock if cars reach a certain speed. It should automatically happen, and drivers should not be able to access certain features until the car significantly slows down. Another step would include cars not reaching certain speeds unless the seat belts are secured. Today we hear some annoying sounds when the seatbelt is not buckled. We should increase this feature to limit car speed if the seat belt is not buckled. These suggestions are all easier to implement as technology continues to improve. Other steps that do not involve technology or the car, can include impacting driver behavior. Updated social media campaigns for safety measures we know work such as the use of seatbelts, respecting speed limits, and road signs. Other campaigns can be designed to help correct less obvious bad driving habits such as driving too close behind other cars, driving safely in bad conditions, not driving aggressively, and not being distracted by others in the car or being a distraction as a passenger when others are driving. These behaviors are less obvious and discussed less but can have a negative impact on driving and lead to accidents on the road. All in all, creating awareness around any behaviors that reduce accidents (including less obvious ones) will decrease the number of deaths related to driving.

I personally have never been in an accident but have had friends of mine involved in car accidents. Moreover, I have heard of tragic accidents involving friends of friends including fatalities. In writing this essay, I am also realizing how I have been in a car very often when someone is driving in a less than ideal way or somewhat irresponsibly. I can think of countless times when my parents have been looking at their phones while driving. Other times they have been talking on the phone while driving. This has also happened when being driven by another adult (perhaps a friend’s parent). I can also recollect other bad behaviors such as being distracted by a conversation with a passenger in the car or someone driving too fast to get somewhere in time. I guess I can count myself somewhat lucky to not have been in an auto accident.

I believe we all have a personal responsibility to be better and safer drivers. We need to hold ourselves accountable while behind the wheel. We also need to hold others accountable when we are passengers and discourage irresponsible driving. We should not encourage distractions such as too much conversation, loud music, or anything else which might distract the driver. We should not drive aggressively and should strive to respect driving rules. For my part, I plan to be more aware of these bad behaviors and limit them as much as possible. I will also help others be better drivers when I am a passenger. I will remain alert and not distract drivers and call them out if they are engaging in irresponsible driving.

If we all took on the responsibility of being more responsible drivers, the roads would be much safer, and many deaths would be prevented. When looking at your website (dmvedu.org) it is encouraging that the numbers have decreased since 2005 although they increased slightly in 2012. Nevertheless, the number of US highway fatalities is still too high and even greater than the number of U.S combat deaths in most wars. Seems like one of the greater wars is being fought at home with ourselves.