More Than Just Driving: Respect, Empathy and Responsibility on the Road

When I first put my hands on the steering wheel, my instructor said something to me that I did not fully understand at the moment. He said, “You have a dangerous weapon in your hand right now, treat it with care and respect”. He stressed the importance of educating yourself and respecting everyone on the road. Every one of us has different priorities and places to get to but by being humble and respecting others, we can all be safer.
According to the National Driving and Traffic School, on average, 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving in America. Ignorance is no excuse for dangerous driving. Being a safe and educated driver is essential for everyone’s safety. The best way to combat this shortcoming is by enrolling in an efficient and credible learning institution such as DmvEdu.org where the concepts and rules of driving are presented systematically and in detail. It provides an effective learning experience with much needed flexibility. Furthermore, the rules are here for safety and not for punishment. Grasping a good understanding of the rules and principles of driving leads to being a more confident driver and enhances the ability to detect unsafe situations. This skillset can be learned readily and easily with online programs and the skill can be reinforced with defensive driving courses.
Soft skills are often much harder to learn and form into good habits, especially for teen drivers. Developing emotional regulation and responsible driving habits is a challenge that goes beyond just learning the basics to drive. It requires the collaboration of schools, communities and the government to promote a healthy living environment that curtails these aggressive driving habits and road rage.
One time I was going to pick up a friend to go to the library to study. I was running late and the traffic was bad but when I was at my friend’s place, she was not ready. I sat in the car waiting and the more I waited, the more frustrated I became. When we were finally ready to go, I was frustrated and my emotions took over. I drove aggressively and narrowly missed the curb. Luckily, I remembered my instructor’s advice and my frustration subsided quickly. On the way to the library, we witnessed a few incidents where drivers used profane gestures towards other drivers. Everybody seemed to be in a rush because of the heavy traffic. These events made me appreciate what my instructor had told me when I first had my hands on the steering wheel. With an increase in traffic volume, unfamiliar traffic patterns, extreme stress levels, poor time management and the feeling of anonymity, all these subtle issues need to be addressed for the attainment of road safety in addition to the superb technical training for teen drivers.
We always assume that teen drivers exhibit more dangerous behaviors than adult drivers because of the lack of experiences and immaturity. However, as psychologist Carla Manly observed, the psychological underpinnings of unsafe driving are complex as they are connected to unresolved issues and the unhealthy habits in a person’s daily life. From her point of view, teens in their cars can create an illusion that they have invulnerability and anonymity. They could act out aggressively while driving with the notion that there are no consequences and responsibilities, thinking they can always reset and start again as if they were in the game. That is the sign of lacking in-person interaction skills.
Schools and the community can come together to provide more programs that are focused on in-person interactions, counteracting the aspect of dehumanization. The programs can educate people about the sense of sharing and interdependence, teaching them to be calm and considerate. As Professor Scott Geller mentioned, the lack of in-person interactions has contributed to a general lack of trust and empathy for others in the society. On the road, they neglect other people’s point of views as nobody has exactly the same view and understanding of the current situation. Teen drivers treat all interactions as very impersonal and fail to read cues from other drivers. They seem to be losing their sense of sharing and interdependence on the road, driving aggressively and unsafely as a result.
For me, joining the Jing Wo Cultural Association, a nonprofit organization, has indirectly benefited my driving habits. Performing lion dance for senior homes, community celebrations and other social functions require us to depend on each other to do the right move at the right time. Cooperation and understanding are prerequisites, skills that have been transferable to safe driving. We respect each other’s ideas, put selfishness aside and work together toward a common goal, to elevate our in-person interaction skills and to magnify the vibrant atmosphere of the community.
We already have excellent education in teaching technical skills for teens. So to educate teen drivers the necessary soft skills is the next logical step in improving road safety. For schools and the community, providing programs that enhance teen’s in-person interactions and appreciation of others perspectives should be constructive and fun. Encouraging teens to involve in volunteer groups is another good approach for setting up and amplifying the positive environmental factors for good behaviors. With that, we can help teens learn life skills without them finding out the hard way.