Vehicles are like weapons on the road. Unsafe, distracted and irresponsible behaviors have long lasting consequences for all parties. Research shows that drivers that follow the rules and engage in responsible conduct behind the wheel, are less likely to be involved in significant incidents, resulting in serious injury or death. Driver’s education programs are the first line of defense, followed by common sense driving.
In New Jersey, where I live, drivers take a course, pass their written exam, practice behind the wheel for six hours and take a road test. Most earn their license and many keep their license their entire lives. There are no retests or driver safety courses required as a condition of licensure, after the initial exam. I firmly believe one way to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths is to require drivers to pay for and take driver safety courses every five to 10 years to remain a licensed driver in their state. Additionally, auto insurance companies should require this as a condition of continued coverage. Driver safety courses should not be optional. These safety measures would benefit the auto insurers and drivers, by lowering insurance premiums, while also improving driving outcomes.
Driver safety courses must incorporate scenario-based instruction through virtual reality and artificial intelligence software to mimic realistic driving conditions. Many accidents are a result of inexperience. Driver safety classes can’t possibly cover all of the possibilities that exist on the roadways such as weather, potholes, tire blowouts, distracted or under the influence drivers or the advent of passenger distraction. Scenario-based instruction would cover more complex situations in safe learning environments. In New Jersey, young adults earn their driver’s permit after passing the written exam and completing six-hours of driving training. After that, parents, many who have not taken a driver safety course since their initial test, are responsible for providing experience for their new drivers. In doing so, many new drivers pick up bad habits. This speaks to my previous suggestion that all licensed drivers be required to take driver safety courses or at the very least those responsible for supporting new driver education.
Common sense driving is the opposite of distracted driving. Common sense driving means driving with consideration; thinking of the consequences of the action, before doing it. Distracted driving is demonstrated through poor judgment such as talking on the cell phone, eating, applying makeup, singing, holding a dog in one’s lap, tailgating, passing, and swerving in and out of lanes. Common sense driving would dictate that drivers plan, consider travel time, and drive with consideration and patience, every day. If every driver slowed down and considered the multiplying effect of their poor judgment, there would be less injuries and deaths. In the absence of common sense driving, the best approach would be for manufacturers to install AI software that minimizes distractions or install software on cell phones and in vehicles that turn them off when the vehicle is in motion, with no override option.
When I was ten years old, my mom, sister and I were re-ended by three vehicles, resulting in our vehicle being pushed under the rear of a bus. It was a scary moment in my life. I later learned that the accident was caused by cell phone use and a distracted driver. In the blink of an eye, this driver could have changed the trajectory of my life. I often think of this now, as a new driver myself. I do not use my cell phone when driving and I keep a good distance between my vehicle and the one in front of me at all times. I learned a valuable lesson that day.
Driver’s education courses definitely improve outcomes, but there are many additional steps that can be implemented to further the mission. One such course of action would be for government agencies and auto insurance companies to partner and institute laws/policies that require licensed driver’s to pass a driver safety course every five to 10 years. In the absence of this, parents, guardians or other adults responsible for teaching young adults to drive should be required to take a course. Additionally, car manufacturers should invest in complex artificial intelligence software to limit driver distraction. Likewise, driver education programs/providers should include virtual reality/simulation software to help prepare new drivers for all the risks on the roadways. These recommendations would reduce the risk of serious injury or death as a result of a motor vehicle accident.