From January to September 2024 alone, there were 29,135 crash-related deaths, this is a 4.4% decrease from 2023’s crash-related fatalities and is a sign that we may be heading in the right direction. It is not enough. While looking at the NHTSA’s analysis of driving-related incidents from the DOT, it is hard to pinpoint age-related incidents under 65 years old. That being said, however, I think most people have had to react offensively or defensively on the road to preserve life and limb while commuting to and from their destination.
Driver education is a crucial first step in providing a baseline education for our younger generation of drivers prior to joining the rest of the population on the road. If driver's education did not exist, then the roads would be free for all, and law enforcement officers would be too busy catching, releasing, and trying to rectify traffic violations. Pedestrians would be in danger as people would not know what specific signs mean on the side of the road. Paramedics and fire would be critically manned and task saturated with accidents and recoveries. Driver education is crucial in ensuring everyone has a baseline knowledge and follows the rules when they are first learning. Next should be to reduce distractions.
Distracted driving is a significant cause of accidents and fatalities on the road today. In addition to education through drivers ed and very realistic accident simulation videos, there needs to be an incentive to put the phones down while driving. Unfortunately, big tech companies today are trying to make their apps more simplistic so that it is not as distracting to use while driving. They should focus more on disincentivizing cell phone use while behind the wheel. It could be as simple as $.05 per mile driven as long as the phone does not register being picked up during the drive.
Road rage is also an issue where I live. Albuquerque, NM, is one of the most dangerous areas I have ever driven to due to the complete and utter carelessness and disregard for human life. Every day I pass an accident or several accidents on my way to and from work. This is not only because of distracted driving it is more careless and aggressive driving. People are regularly cutting each other off, brake checking, and weaving in and out of traffic during rush hour while most vehicles are at a standstill. Due to this, there are frequent hour-long delays for what should be a 20-minute drive because these reckless drivers ruin it for everyone else.
Any individual driving for a year or longer has been in an incident where someone is driving irresponsibly. Whether that person is their friend or family, their response should be the same. They should be upfront and honest with their feelings on the matter, and cite accurate information regarding what they are seeing. Tell the driver they are not riding with them anymore unless they clean up their act. Remind the driver that they are risking their own life and the lives of others on the road by acting irresponsibly.
The steps I currently take is to use the hands-free setting on my vehicles. I do not touch my phone while driving, and I ensure everyone is buckled up before departing. I remind myself to stay calm behind the wheel as I am responsible for the lives of everyone in my vehicle. If I have a passenger in the car, they are in charge of the playlist that we listen to or implementing the music the driver wants. In addition, I help others become safer drivers by ensuring they do not need anything while they are driving. I take charge of the music as the passenger, or I ensure they are not driving while under the influence of alcohol or tobacco. If the group or I decide to go out, I ensure that I will not have any drinks so that we always have a designated driver or someone responsible enough to take charge of the situation and get everyone home.
In conclusion, driver education is incredibly important in establishing a baseline of knowledge for those on the road. As the next generations come of age, finding ways to encourage them to put their phones down will become increasingly important. Or make it so that if a phone registers it is going at a certain speed, it shuts off temporarily. Allow cars to make emergency calls without cell phone usage so that it is “safe” for people to travel without their phones. Continue the ADD campaigns to remind people about the dangers of DUI. Ultimately, the responsibility to be safe behind the wheel lies with the driver, but at the end of the day, at least we can say they were fully informed.