A Drive Around the World

In one of the most un-walkable cities in the country- my newly obtained driver’s license provided me with overwhelming freedom to go anywhere I wanted, at any time. I was overjoyed- no longer trapped in the confines of my home, waiting on my parents for a ride. But just as I sought to enjoy my newfound privileges, my parents unexpectedly announced a six-weeklong trip to Vietnam. Halfway across the globe, life in Vietnam was a stark contrast from that of mine in Houston. In the small city of Soc Trang, the typical four-wheel sedans I was used to seeing in American streets- xe hơi – were rarely seen, instead being overtaken by a sea of motorbikes – xe máy.

With dozens of people driving small motorbikes on tight roads daily, I knew traffic accidents there were common. Vietnam has a 26.4 traffic fatality rate per one hundred thousand people (WHO). With so many of these fatalities being cyclists or pedestrians that had happened to be in the wrong place, my Vietnamese family always reminded me of the danger that was lurking on the road. But as I watched my cousin begin his driving lessons, I noticed the habits Vietnamese motorcyclists took to avoid these dangers. Amidst the chaos of honking and beeping, there was a very organized sense of communication between the drivers- one that I lacked in my American driving. From always using turn signals to the deliberate slowing down of the motorcycle in front (causing a chain reaction), cyclists were extremely observant of one another on the roads. Seeing this, I realized that driving, despite how it was perceived as easy to pick up, was something that required much attention and thinking to master. My Vietnamese family continuously emphasized the necessity of understanding the impact of your vehicle. After all, a car (much bigger than xe máy) is essentially a three thousand-pound hunk of metal hurtling down the roads at record speeds. To truly be a better driver, every driver must recognize the risks a car can have on human life, despite how common it is today in our car-centric society.

After my experience in Vietnam, I realized that learning how to drive requires education on the road itself, and not just how to push the gas and brake. I took the steps to attend a defensive driving course. Going to a formal driving school or taking defensive driving courses (which can be found with a simple Google search) teaches you to anticipate the behavior of other drivers, while also avoiding any dangers that could cause potential accidents (distracted or speeding drivers). You also learn to abide by the safety laws and regulations, which many people tend to slack on. Rules like fully stopping at stop signs are meant to keep drivers aware of others at intersections. Having a close grasp on the rules as well as a certified instructor during your driving course also prevents the creation of bad driving habits like forgetting to signal or check blindspots, which create a dangerous environment for everyone on the road. I believe that a proper initial education serves as a strong foundation for future driving

Secondly, always remember to drive without distractions. Almost ten percent of all fatal car accidents in the US were a result of distracted driving (Forbes). While distractions can include things like talking or eating, oftentimes it is phone usage that is the downfall of so many drivers. In our technology-powered world, it may feel hard to not want to check every notification that pops up on your phone. This usage, however, has contributed to almost twelve percent of all distracted car accidents in the United States (National Traffic Safety Administration). My grandma, a new driver, was involved in an accident when she decided to pick up her phone for a second. This brief second, which seemed harmless, impaired her focus on the road and led to a collision with the vehicle in front. Fortunately, the accident was minor- but it served to show me how even just a second of your diverted attention could result in disaster.

Thirdly, avoid driving under the influence of any drugs and alcohol. Driving requires full awareness of your surroundings, and any drug-related impairments to your state of mind can be detrimental to yourself and the people around you. Drugs have varying effects on your judgment, influencing your perception of speed/distance and your environmental reaction time. It’s no wonder that nearly half of “fatally injured drivers … tested positive for drugs” in their system (Governors Highway Safety Association). Despite the devasting consequences driving under the influence can have- both legally and physically- young adults (new drivers!) often commit the most drugged driving.

This statistic is an important reason why spreading public education and awareness about proper driving is crucial for promoting a safe driving culture, especially among easily influenced teenagers. Public health officials should take steps toward implementing programs to educate real teenagers about safe driving techniques and dissuade drugged and distracted driving. With the rise of social media, it is now easier than ever to connect with teenagers on a personable level through outreach tik toks, partnerships with influencers, and collaborations with brands. With just a simple tik tok showcasing the consequences of unsafe driving, many others can change their behavior in small but lasting ways.

By bolstering personal education for new drivers and taking the initiative to establish public awareness programs, the road can become a safer place for all drivers. People often say that realization is the first step to improvement. While my time in Vietnam was my “realization”, I believe that prioritizing drivers’ literacy will bring about a new generation of educated drivers making smart decisions for not only themselves but also those in the world around them.

Work Cited

Bieber, Christy. “Distracted Driving Statistics & Facts in 2023 – Forbes Advisor.” Www.forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2023, www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/distracted-driving-statistics/.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Distracted Driving.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5 Nov. 2020, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Drugged Driving DrugFacts.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 31 Dec. 2019, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving.
“Vietnam.” Www.roadsafetyfacility.org, www.roadsafetyfacility.org/country/vietnam.
World Health Organization. Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018. Geneva, Switzerland, World Health Organization, Dec. 2018, www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565684. Accessed 22 May 2023.