Beyond the Road Signs

Though it is a routine part of each day, driving is an action of great risk and responsibility. According to research, “For every 1000 miles you drive, your chances of getting into a car accident are 1 in 366” (Levine, 2022). Considering that at least 115 million vehicles commute on US roads each day, the number of collision opportunities is staggering (America’s Commuting Choices: 5 Major Takeaways From 2016 Census Data, 2022). However, preparing drivers to enter the roadway with the right training and mentality means that vehicle accidents that occur will fall far below this expectation.

Driver education not only teaches about traffic laws and road signs but also creates a safe mindset while working through unique traffic situations. Teaching and demonstrating the importance of road scanning, safe speeds in unsafe conditions, and avoiding distractions to maintain focus on the road are all critical skills that prevent automobile accidents. As you learn how to read and obey road signs, how to navigate traffic moderators, and how to properly understand and respect your vehicle, you are also learning about the importance of communication and attention behind the wheel. The appreciation and application of these skills alongside a safety-focused attitude create secure and responsible drivers.

Emphasizing the importance of these attributes to students at the wheel can instill a life-long practice of safe driving. As more drivers consciously take on this responsibility, the opportunities for injury or vehicle-related death will reduce significantly. Even in situations where drivers encounter unsafe road and/ or weather conditions that they never have before, they will be outfitted with the knowledge and intuition they need to act accordingly. When you can fully comprehend how strongly your decisions impact the lives of yourself and others on the road, you will think more carefully about your driving behavior.

Recently, my husband received a message from his older brother that read, “Guess what I just hit?” It was dark, and he had been trying to shorten his 15-minute drive home from work the night the accident occurred. Thankfully, his message was followed by a picture of himself holding up the head of a deceased, large bull elk with the biggest smile on his face. This reaction told us that he was safe, and the situation wasn’t dire, but we also knew that the vehicle likely hadn’t faired well. After ensuring that his young family was not with him in the car when the accident occurred, we received another picture of the totaled vehicle. Knowing about other occasions of elk-to-vehicle accidents, I was not surprised to see that the entire front end of the car had been crushed like a soda can. It was clear that it had done its job to protect him, but it was easy to imagine a million other situations where he wouldn’t be smiling after the accident.

Growing up in small-town Idaho, my family has always emphasized the importance of scanning for the glint of animal eyes and looking as far down the road as your headlights travel when driving at night. I have experienced and witnessed many occasions where collisions with similar wildlife have been avoided using these techniques. Knowing that my husband and I will be moving to the same area, and making the same daily commute as my brother-in-law, in just a few short weeks, that practice has returned to the forefront of my mind. I want to ensure that we don’t follow his tire tracks into an animal as we traverse that roadway.

I know that one of the best things I can do to ensure greater safety on the roads I travel is to put into practice all I know about driving safely. As I take care to be observant of other drivers and my surroundings, I can keep myself and other vehicle operators out of harm’s way, even if that means I avoid accidents that others could have caused. Being a good example behind the wheel and speaking openly to those I ride with about my concerns and/ or gratitude for their driving decisions will create opportunities for them, and myself, to continue learning how to securely navigate any traffic condition we happen into. Making responsible decisions on when to drive, when to wait, or when to ask someone else to drive is also critical in reducing the risk of traffic accidents. It is far better to stay out of a precarious situation than to jeopardize the safety of everyone on the road.

Being a responsible driver means understanding your influence on the road. It is easy to assume that everyone around you is doing their part and paying attention to your every move, but you are accountable for the decisions you make behind the wheel. Be actively involved in the driver’s seat. Remove or limit distractions by better understanding how they impact your driving habits. Be mindful of passenger observations and learn from close calls and the actions of others. There are endless opportunities to further your driving education on and off the road. Protect yourself by deciding to protect and value the life and livelihood of those traveling beside you.