2020 Drivers ed

Our
roads connect your driveway to mine, to every corner of the country,
and beyond. They arguably the most important piece of infrastructure
in the United States, as they are the veins that connect people to
places. Unfortunately, the reward they bring does not come without
risk. Thousands of people die in automotive accidents every day, and
driving remains one of the most dangerous ways to travel. However,
through drivers ed and innovation, the dangers of the road can
be at least partially controlled.

In
the U.S. laws and regulations have been established that do a great
deal to ensure drivers ed. In order to drive, one must apply
for a license. The process of earning a driver’s license is built
exclusively to teach prospective drivers how to operate safely on the
road, ultimately requiring them to pass a test and prove their
knowledge. However, just education alone is not enough to keep the
roads safe, as just because someone knows how they are supposed to
conduct themselves, does not mean they will, as evident by my own
experience.

Unfortunately,
the idea of a car crash is not foreign to my family. My parents and I
were involved in a very minor crash years ago. A car backed into us
while we were stalled in a traffic jam. No one was hurt, and the cars
were not badly damaged. The driver was unlicensed, and so no amount
of state sponsored drivers ed was going to reach them. However,
it is still possible to improve safety even in situations like this,
through technology and innovation.

Innovation
and technological improvements have been essential in increasing
safety on and off the roads. In the past, garages were built separate
from the home in order to keep occupants safe from accidental fuel
explosions, but now automotive technology has progressed to the point
where many cars can prevent themselves from crashing without driver
input. We can educate drivers their whole lives, but mistakes will
always happen. Moving forward, the best way to improve automotive
safety in the modern world is through innovation. Luckily, most
automotive companies are deeply involved in increasing vehicle safety
through technology, be it Tesla self driving cars or Subaru automatic
breaks.

However,
one can discuss systematic or sweeping changes to improve driver
safety, but what about individuals? The truth is drivers are for the
most part responsible for their own safety. Every driver has the
responsibility to remain educated on safe driving practices, and to
act on them. After all, as with my own experience, it ultimately
falls on the driver to drive safely.