What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving?
Driving is not a right, it is a privilege, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. When drivers are behind the wheel, they are not only taking their lives into their own hands but also the lives of others. One mistake or lapse in judgment can cause irreversible damage to the car and driver, and in extreme cases, death. That is a lot of power, and as Uncle Ben infamously warned Spider-Man; “with great power comes great responsibility.” Educating drivers will ensure that all drivers, myself, and others, can get from one place to another safely. When we get too comfortable behind the wheel, we start to feel invincible, thinking things like “It couldn’t happen to me” or “I would be able to react in time.” By sharing first-hand accounts of similar-minded people, the eyes of ignorant drivers can be opened to the reality that they are in fact not invincible, so they navigate the roads with care.
What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?
According to the CDC, in the United States, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and kill over 120 people every day. One of the leading causes of driving-related deaths is distracted driving. In this day and age, technology has become such an integral part of our lives that many people become addicted to their phones. Like Pavlov’s dogs - classically conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell - we have become accustomed to reactively looking at our phone at the sound of a notification. One simple way to minimize the number of deaths due to distracted driving would be to wait to look at our phones until we have reached our destination, not at a stoplight or a stop sign. With our full attention on the road, we will be better able to be more observant and have quicker reactions to avoid collisions.
Another way to reduce the number of deaths due to distracted driving, which may seem obvious but is often overlooked, is abiding by the speed limit. We’ve all heard it before, “The speed limit is just a suggestion” or “I drive fast but it's fine because I’m in control!” While we may feel as if we are in control, the faster that we drive, the less control we actually have. The amount of reaction time we have is drastically reduced and those potholes, road kill, or swerving cars now are a much larger hazard than they would have been driving slower. This step calls for a change of mindset more than anything. Through driver education, stories of people whose irresponsible driving led to significant consequences can serve as tools to open driver's eyes to the importance of following the speed limit. Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?
I myself have been fortunate to have never been in a car accident, but my parents were not. While driving on 95N in Virginia, a drunk driver plowed into the back of my parents' car, while driving two times faster, causing the trunk to bend around the frame of the car, totaling it. My mother was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, later finding out that the impact had displaced 32 joints in her neck and back, as well as shredded 2 ligaments in her neck. Even after 6 months of physical therapy and wearing a night guard to regulate jaw pain, her neck and jaw still flare up to this day. While the physical injuries were – and still are - substantial, the mental trauma is just as much so. The accident was twenty-five years ago, and I can visibly see my mother tense up as we drive through the area where they were hit.
What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver?
For starters, I will consistently recognize and take responsibility for the safety of the other passengers in the car at all times. Prior to shifting the car out of park, I will ensure that not just me, but also the other passengers, have taken the proper safety precautions by buckling our seatbelts and sitting in our seats properly.
I will also get back into the habit of turning on my turn signal prior to changing lanes on an empty road. While there may be no nearby drivers to alert, repetition of these bad habits can lead to a split-second mistake - under different circumstances - that could result in a devastating car crash. In general, practicing good driver etiquette in all circumstances, whether it be alone on country roads or on major highways, can only positively impact my safety and the safety of those around me.