The Reality of being a Driver

Most teenagers look forward to driving as it gives them freedom and the opportunity to be more independent. However, these new drivers must understand that this new responsibility has significant risks and consequences if they aren’t careful. Luckily, there is a program to help teach new drivers everything they need to know before getting on the road called the driver education program.

The driver education program for new drivers plays a vital role in reducing the number of deaths on the road for several reasons. In addition to exposing awareness about the potential risks and dangers of driving, the program educates new drivers on developing essential driving skills, such as vehicle control and emergency maneuvers, road hazards, and defensive driving techniques. It also teaches the rules of the road, like understanding traffic laws and road signs and how to handle various driving situations and weather conditions. Since 20.4% of accidents derive from reckless behavior, including speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving (Dreyer, Jack. “Collision Data Analysed: 51% of Serious Accidents Caused by Aggressive Driving.” Kwik Fit, 29 May 2023), the driver education program emphasizes the importance of responsible driving behavior. By gaining a firm understanding of these areas, drivers are more likely to make informed legal and ethical decisions that can help reduce the risk of accidents.

To be honest, having experienced the driver safety course, I almost fell asleep several times as the program was not very engaging. I have a few fun ideas that would not only improve road safety and decrease the number of fatalities but would also make it a fun and interactive experience for everyone! 

My first idea is to create a course that elementary, middle, and high school students can participate. These mandatory vehicle safety courses can be a course that all students will want to engage in as they will integrate the latest technological advances, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence.  Similar to STAAR testing requirements, it can be a course that will be mandatory to pass to proceed to the next grade level. For high schoolers, they must pass to graduate. These simulations can encourage young minds to practice safe driving behaviors and increase their knowledge about the consequences of reckless driving. It can also teach them the essential skills necessary for car ownership. For example, changing a tire, performing an oil change, and how to take care of a car in different weather conditions. The virtual reality simulations will show students what it would look like to drive while under the influence and how to drive in certain weather conditions ranging from mild rain to severe weather like tornados, hurricanes, and snowstorms. These virtual simulations will also have an interactive “test” at the end of the sessions to better help students retain the information taught. This additional class allows students to participate in real-life situations without worrying about their physical well-being and harming others while showing them the gravity of them, how to perform necessary maintenance checks, and how to be more independent and responsible with their newfound freedom. Nearing the conclusion of the course, even though it isn’t car safety, there will be a lesson on car ownership and everything you need to know on how to buy a car. For example, how to handle yourself at a car dealership, how to negotiate, what documents you need to provide to buy a car in person or online, the ins and outs of financing a car, and more! This way, new drivers will know what to expect.

My second idea is to enforce a mandatory reassessment with drivers (especially those with a history of violations and accidents) annually. This reassessment would include a written test taken by the driver on their knowledge of safe driving and traffic laws, a complete mental and physical evaluation to determine whether the driver is safe to have on the road, and a driving test with a safety instructor.

Lastly, we should consider improving road infrastructure or changing it completely. I’ve been in Portugal for a few months on a gap year and remarkably  have yet to witness any traffic or pedestrian accidents. This could be due to the several roundabouts in my city and throughout the country. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, “Roundabouts are a safer alternative to traffic signals and stop signs. The tight circle of a roundabout forces drivers to slow down, and the most severe types of intersection crashes — right-angle, left-turn, and head-on collisions — are unlikely. Roundabouts improve traffic flow and are better for the environment. Research shows that traffic flow improves after traditional intersections are converted to roundabouts. Less idling reduces vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. Roundabouts generally are safer for pedestrians. Pedestrians walk on sidewalks around the perimeter and cross only one direction of traffic at a time. Crossing distances are relatively short, and traffic speeds are lower than at traditional intersections.” I think it would be a feasible plan to convert dangerous intersections into roundabouts in the US since it’s easier to convert a square into a circle than a circle into a square!

I remember when I was around 8 years old, I would spend a lot of time with my grandparents and cousins. If we ever wanted to go anywhere, my grandfather would drive all of us. He would allow the older cousins (myself and my cousin Alexis) to sit in the front seat. He would drive on the major roads with the us two sitting in each other’s lap and the younger cousins in the back. None of us  were told to wear our seatbelts, because he didn’t wear one either. I realized it was not safe behavior because of what my parents taught me, but no one said anything about it. It eventually made me not want to ride with them anymore because I started to fear for my safety. It was disappointing that another adult who has been driving for almost his entire life didn’t make sure that his grandchildren were safe. I told my parents what was happening, and they made my grandfather ensure that we were all sitting down, wearing seatbelts, and only one of us was sitting in the front seat. From then on, I sat in the backseat with my seatbelt on. However, this didn’t continue for very long with everyone else; my cousins and grandfather still didn’t ride with their seatbelts on and weren’t seated for the entire drive to our destination. I eventually stopped riding with them unless it was a short drive down the street.

To further help yourself and others become safer on the road, we can lead by example and talk to friends and family about being better drivers.

Being a role model for safe and defensive driving improves your driving skills and encourages safe driving habits for others. Model behavior includes wearing a seatbelt, no distractions while driving (phone, iPad, computer, etc.), and providing suggestions if someone is unable to drive, like spending the night, calling an Uber, or assigning a designated driver. Communicating with others about safe driving advice is another fantastic way to help those you care about to stay safe. It is one of the things that I found very valuable when I started driving. 

Promoting road safety is a collective effort and learning about it can be fun! Targeting younger age groups, incorporating new technologies, following the lead of European countries’ road infrastructure, and annual defensive driving testing can go a long way towards improving road safety. Continuing to wear seatbelts, talking with friends and family about road safety and leading by example will continue to be excellent ways to keep you and others safe on the road. Every action, big or small, counts towards safer road environments for everyone.