Driving Safely—and Knowing When Not to Drive at All

Cars are an integral part of American society, taking us to work, school, loved ones, and errands. It is almost impossible to consider America without cars. To say that driver education must focus more on teaching awareness seems superficial. Not only is it obvious, it isn’t effective enough. I remember the videos from driver’s ed, showing the bone-shattering injuries and bloody deaths that irresponsible drivers cause, and I remember the stomach-churning discomfort that came with them. Furthermore, my mother was a victim of a severe car crash, living but destroying her spine. Most people are aware of the threats. Instead, what would go further is to teach young drivers about alternative options to driving and precautions when conditions might be unsafe.

Of course, I firmly believe that all drivers ought to be cautious! However, it is all too often the need to drive triumphs the desire to be cautious. In a car-centric society, not driving could mean not getting home and thus sleeping in a freezing car, or not being able to attend school or work. These motivations are often more important to drivers than the weather conditions, alcohol, or emotions which might impair them. Even if all drivers were perfectly aware at every possible second, the sheer need to drive would still push them into unsafe driving situations that would cause harm and even death.

I will contrast two of my experiences. Growing up in snowy Colorado, we did not always get snow days when the roads were slick and icy. My first winter after getting my license was horrifying; sweat-slick hands shaking as they gripped the wheel, I barely inched along the roads. There was no moment I was more aware of the dangers of driving than in those moments. However aware I was, though, there were no alternative options. I never crashed, but panic overtook me when I slid and, once, even turned backwards after hitting black ice. On the other hand, I have lived and studied abroad in Prague for three semesters, which has a thorough public tram system. Though cold weather and high alcohol consumption are common, the availability of public transportation meant that I never had to drive in conditions which would have been unsafe, and neither did anyone else. The only people who drove in the snow were people with proper tires, and because many opted to take trams instead, there were fewer cars on the road. I have noticed a difference between my friends in Europe versus in the US, that my European friends tend to drive safer simply because they do not feel like they must drive in poor conditions.

Of course, the reliance on cars is an infrastructural problem not addressed by drivers education. I do not intend to propose driver education should teach students to create these systems, but rather that driver education should teach students about the availability of alternative options and ways to make driving safer when driving is the only choice.

For example, many universities such as CU (where I am transferring to) offer rideshare programs for students who have partied. Rideshare apps are now common. Having a designated driver at parties ensures there will be a free and accessible driver. In instances of bad weather, students should learn about snow tires and keeping gravel to help get their cars from ditches. Some drivers may also have jobs or classes where online attendance is now an option; if they feel driving is unsafe, they should be taught that this option is not only possible, but encouraged.

It is absolutely vital that alternative options and extra safety tidbits are taught to all drivers, whether they expect to need them or not. Students may wonder why they are learning about these options if they do not intend to party or if they live in a warm state. It cannot be said any more simply than it always matters. Circumstances change; drivers might move to a new state with snow and now be faced with weather challenges, or students may end up partying even if they didn’t like to in high school. Thus, the most important thing drivers education can do it show students that, although driving is dangerous, there are many, many options to make it safer, whether that means choosing something else or taking extra precautions.

I have never been in a serious car accident besides being a passenger to small bumps and scrapes, but I have personal experience with how serious car accidents can be. A driver slammed into my mom while she was crossing the street to catch her bus, resulting in hospitalization and serious injuries. She survived, but to date has back pain from the numerous compression fractures which injured her spine. As a result, she is not even supposed to lift a gallon of milk because of the pressure it exerts on her body. Watching my mother’s pain has made me aware of the dangers of unaware driving, and I drive more consciously because I do not want to inflict her pain on anyone else by driving irresponsibly.

As a driver, I drive defensively, but I also drive within the acknowledgments of my own limitations. Personally, I do get stressed out when driving in snowy conditions; the conditions themselves are dangerous, but my anxiety also can make me distracted. As a result, I try to avoid driving when I know I will be susceptible to making careless mistakes, such as in these bad conditions. If I must, I take precautions such as slow driving and having a stable and safe vehicle.

Overall, unsafe driving is a result of both individual and systemic problems, and changes can be made on both levels. Individuals should be taught how to handle all situations, not just the ones they are most likely to encounter. Yet, awareness is not enough to deter people who must drive. We live in a car centric society, and many drivers would benefit from being aware of alternative options and precautions, not just dangers.