Behind
The Steering Wheel

By:
Grace Maluwa


We
hear hundreds of incidences reported on major road accidents almost
everyday- and those are just the reported
cases, there are dozens more probably happening right at this moment
that won't be mentioned tomorrow. Thousands of lives are lost because
of this and for no logical reason.


Why
does this happen? one might ask; we have a whole bible of road rules
to prevent things like this. This brings me to the question of what
is the importance of driving education in reducing the number of
deaths? It is obviously extremely important and necessary: drivers
have to learn to check their rear view mirrors when reversing, look
both ways before crossing into a lane and turn their indicators on
before making a turn, and that's pretty much all that sinks in; the
rest is yet another pile of rules drivers have to cram into their
heads on top of work, school and even social rules. At this, road
rules are never really seen as that worth it and most are flushed
down the 'whatever' brain drain. It is not unusual to see a motorist
race their car on a busy 40km/hr road without a care in the world or
forget to even follow the basic rules mentioned above! Yet most, if
not all, have been given the same drivers training. This brings to
question whether modern driving education techniques are really that
employable or whether something has to change.


Steps
that can be taken in reducing the number of deaths related to
driving, first of all, is to introduce driving education, including
consequences of deficient driving, to kids as early as possible than
have them learn it first from Batman "just cruising" down
the streets of Gotham at 1000Km/hr. It shouldn't have to be something
that a child must wait until they are a specific age to be deemed old
enough to know.



One
long- shot idea I had in which I personally believe can work is if
roads were segregated to only allow specific drivers to use. For
example the commuters get their road, heavy loaded vehicles and
gas/oil trucks their own road, ambulances and other emergency
vehicles get their own road too and so on, in order to avoid the
confusion that comes when everyone is crammed on the same road with
different speed or space needs.



Fortunately
for me, I have never been in a road accident but I have noticed some
not-so exemplary driving in my family- from my dad driving in the
centre of two lanes to my mum checking her hair in the rear view
mirror whilst driving. They both correct themselves quick enough to
prevent their actions causing any real damage and have tried their
best to drive as decently as possible, then again, even the littlest
mistakes can wreck havoc on the road.


Since
I have never had any firsthand experience as to how painful and
traumatising car accidents can be, nor have I ever seen one, I am
extremely volatile to becoming indifferent once I get behind the
wheel. To ensure my safer driving, I will strive to sensitise myself,
as well as others in my position, by hearing out those who were not
as fortunate as me in their road experiences so that before I decide
to text or bother changing the radio station I am listening to whilst
I am driving, I remember their stories and think twice on what is
really important at hand- keeping myself, other drivers and
pedestrians alike out of harm's way.