Smart Cars Need Smart Drivers: Analyzing Safe Driving Habits

Smart
Cars Need Smart Drivers: Analyzing Safe Driving Habits

Elizabeth
Banas

New
smart car technology continues to evolve, while drivers seem to be
paying less attention on the road. There are many different scenarios
that are potentially life threatening from road rage, to drinking
while driving, to texting while driving, listening to music too
loudly, etc.. According to Driver Knowledge, there are an estimated 6
million car crashes in the US alone every year with an average of 90
people dying every day. Furthermore, 40% of deaths are caused from
alcohol, 30% from speeding, and 33% from reckless driving. What’s
crazy about these statistics is, they are all preventable. Although
statistics seem impersonal, the reality is it’s vital for your own
health to learn more about safe driving, and for you to educate
others and potentially save a life. Remember, no matter how old or
young a driver is, everyone needs a refresher that driving a vehicle
is dangerous whenever out on the road. Overconfidence in ability can
cause both newer and more experienced drivers to drive in unsafe
conditions, speed, or drink and drive. As corny as it sounds, always
make sure you are wearing a seatbelt, as they reduce risk of injury
by 50%. Make sure to lock your phone and do not pick it up while you
are driving, putting any texts aside and calls on speaker.
Furthermore, if you see a car that is driving recklessly or seems to
have an intoxicated driver, try and distance your car as much as
possible, even if it means pulling over. You can report them to your
local police station and then continue driving. On the flip side, if
you ever drink or smoke anything that inhibits your ability to drive,
do not step in the car! Even buzzed driving is drunk driving. Rest it
off, have someone sober drive you home, order an Uber, or call a
trusted friend or family member to come pick you up, but please don’t
drive. Lastly, I think that road rage is not talked about enough in
general. If someone is yelling at you and you pull over, do not step
out of the car! You don’t know the other person and it can be life
threatening, so lock all car doors and make sure to never unlock or
roll down your windows.
In my self-defense classes, they showed us a video of road rage where
a man, under the influence, stepped out of his car and went to attack
a woman and her child just because she cut him off! Seeing that video
was a life changing experience for me because it felt so real. I
understand, it’s hard to relate to crazy car wrecks seen on the
road or on social media, until that car becomes your car. 
Please, pay attention to the road at all times, do not open your
doors if you are being attacked by someone, and do not drive while
under the influence of anything that inhibits your cognitive
abilities! Life is precious, think before you drive.