Making Roads Safer

As someone who recently finished driver’s education, I can say I realized the importance as soon as I completed the course. Many new drivers are so excited to drive and have their freedom, that they aren’t cautious enough on the road. The importance of driver’s education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is not only informing new drivers about how both vehicles and the road works, but also changing their attitudes. Young drivers often hold the mindset that they are too young for anything bad to happen to them. That they have fast enough reflexes, that they’re to healthy, or just that it’s extremely unlikely. This can lead to some dangerous road behaviors. Driver’s education not only teaches students how to drive, it also shows them that it is something to be taken seriously. I was informed of some shocking statistics that I never would have thought to look up on my own during my driving course. Teen drivers tend to speed, not knowing that at 40 miles per hour a pedestrian hit by a car has only a 10% chance of survival. Excited drivers can easily surpass this speed. Informing students of statistics like this definitely makes us more cautious. In states that have incorporated the graduated licensing system, the crash rate for teen drivers is lower. In my own state of Maryland, teens were 9.49 percent of total fatal crashes from 2014-2018. In Utah, the percentage was 16.43. The difference is clear, they have less hours of drivers’ education. Maryland has nine months and 60 hours of supervised driving under a learner’s permit, while Utah has 6 months and 40 hours. This clearly demonstrates the importance of driver’s education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving.

Drivers’ education courses are a crucial step in reducing driving related deaths, but in-class lessons aren’t the only necessary step. The graduating licensing system includes in-class courses, driving lessons with an instructor, months of practice with a guardian or trusted adult with years of driving experience, and then restricted solitary independent driving. As evidenced by the difference between Utah and Maryland teen driving deaths, the length of the middle two steps matters. The more time spent driving with an instructor or experienced adult, the more comfortable and ready a new driver will be when driving on their own. They give you a safer environment to apply what you learned during your driving course. Not only are the components of the graduated licensing system important steps, but improved enforcement of driving laws is also a necessary step. Even experienced drivers make carless decisions, like speeding, as they know there is usually know punishment for it since they don’t get caught. More traffic camera to detect drivers not wearing seatbelts, or speeding, or otherwise violating traffic laws are important in reducing the number of deaths related to driving. The knowledge that cameras are watching acts as a deterrent to unsafe practices.

The experience of being in a car with an unsafe driver is far too common. I’ve gone through it many times in my lifetime. Family speeding because they’re running late, friends being excited and approaching turns too quickly, and not stopping long enough at stop signs are things I and many others have witnessed. I am one of those who is lucky enough to have never been in a car crash. Not even a fender bender. However, my own mother was in a near fatal accident and is lucky to have survived. The cause of this accident was at once unsafe driving, and unsafe road conditions. She was in a vehicle with a drowsy driver in dark conditions, who did not see the obstructions in the road until it was too late. She was seriously injured, and almost died. Alertness is a road necessity. This accident was completely preventable. If the driver had stopped somewhere safe when they realized they were tired, this would not have happened. Fatigued drivers are 3 times more likely to get in a crash. Not only does drowsiness effect alertness, but devices and driving companions do as well. Texting and driving increases crash risk by 23 times. Driving with passengers can also double crash risk. What is important on the road is making sure your vehicle environment is one that won’t distract you. Keeping your phone where you won’t be tempted to use it and telling your passengers not to distract you are important parts of responsible driving.

One of the first and most important steps a person can take to become a better and safer driver is to get a formal driving education, which typically happens after getting a learner’s permit. Sitting down to learn the rules of the road, the basics of how to operate a vehicle, and what to do in emergency situations is very beneficial to improve driving. Steps individuals can take on their own to become safer drivers include maintaining your vehicle, putting their phone on driving or airplane mode while driving, and staying up to date on driving laws. These are not every step, but they are very important. Having regular vehicle check-ups and fixing car problems as soon as they occur keeps your vehicle road ready and safer to drive, both for you and other drivers on the road. As I have previously mentioned, remaining alert is very important for drivers, and making sure your phone doesn’t go off is a step people can take to remain alert. Staying up to date on driving laws means you won’t be impeding others who follow them on the roadways, and these changes are usually made for safety reasons. Following them ensures you will be a safer driver. These are all steps that I have endeavored to take every time I get out on the road. I know that for many taking these steps may feel insignificant because so many other people are unsafe drivers, but if everybody makes the effort to incorporate some of these steps, the road will definitely be a safer place.