Driver Education Initiative 2020: In the Driver’s Seat

Driver Education Initiative 2020: In the Driver’s Seat

In school, we learn the importance of subjects such as Mathematic, English, Science, and History which can help develop our critical thinking. Being a critical thinker is something that is learned over time and through various mediums, which ultimately guides us towards a career. However, as humans, we are lazy and we tend to take the fastest way out and we fail to learn important life skills and ways of thinking, which will inevitably impact our decision making once we are on the road and driving. Growing up in a Middle Eastern country, I have seen all types of different driving; from very skilled local drivers to death defying highway shenanigans, which put other drivers at risk. Now, being on the road myself I pay even more attention to the laws regarding driving. I was taught that I not only have to think for my own car and safety, but I am constantly thinking of all the possible choices the cars and drivers around me could make. I take the responsibility of my life and the life of my passengers in my hands which can add an immense amount of pressure to every driving trip, but also allow for wise and safe driving.

One tactic to tackle this grave issue prominent in America is awareness. When first running into this thought provoking scholarship essay, I was stunned by the facts it presented about car accident deaths versus combat deaths. I then sent out a quick survey to my American friends as well as people I know living in American currently, providing information such as that, and others that I found. For example, the survey would say “car accidents are the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. True or False?” The overwhelming wrong answers that came from this survey especially with the “more deaths caused from driving than war” question was a sure proof of ignorance in populations about the significance of this issue.

Even though learners’ permits are a fantastic idea for allowing young drivers to gain driving experience at a young age, it puts all the other drivers on the road at risk. A 16 year old individual does not have the mental capabilities to start driving on the road with other drivers. They have not yet fully developed their critical thinking skills which can cause them to make wrong decisions when driving. According to the ‘Foundation for Traffic Safety’, the number of car crashes and injury car crashes for people aged 16-17 was double that of people aged 18-19, 2.5 times that of people aged 20-29 and almost four times more than people ages 30-79. Unfortunately these numbers and proportions are the exact same as casualty rates. Their inexperience, 16-17 year olds, on the road and lack of understanding the seriousness of driving a car, not only puts them in danger but also all the other drivers on the road. I suggest more rigorous learners permit courses, that are given by driving instructors, to better prepare students for the road. Another creative suggestion is road signs on highways and at traffic lights; while drivers are waiting, facts about road safety and gentle road safety reminders are displayed to encourage young drivers to stay focused on the road and to drive safely. Another solution is perhaps a little more difficult to see through but ensuring that laws in each state are enforced and regularly spot checked. This will also encourage drivers to stay focused as to not receive hefty fines for unsafe driving.

A lot of these problems come from using a phone while driving. Personally, I never use my phone until I have stopped at my final destination or unless there is a passenger who sits with me who can use my phone if need be. However, overconfident young drivers are the most dangerous and they don’t even know it. No matter how confident they may feel on the road, once they drive with lots of other cars around them, some of them in a rush, and with many distractions along the road, experience and road safety knowledge is the only preparation for this. I have recently got my drivers license and I was that over confident young driver and on the way home one night on a major, but empty highway, I wanted to change a song on my phone that was playing. In the process of looking down for 3 seconds my car had drifted across almost 2 lanes and I didn’t even notice. Fortunately, there were no other cars around me, but it was a serious wake up call for me and the reality and risk of driving on the road.

From my limited experience and my general experience driving in the UAE, where people are a lot more dangerous when driving and there are a lot more young local boys who have their licenses in big and fast cars, I would suggest a couple things.

• The first is to NEVER look at your phone when driving. Never take your attention off the road

• Checking mirrors before leaving and putting on seat belts is a crucial part of driving and should always be done

• Often we take the wrong turnoff and we scramble to put our gps or phones on to find a new route. STOP and pull over to a safe area, using your hazards then put in the location and continue driving.

• ALWAYS maintain your distance from the cars in front of you. Keep in mind that heavier vehicles need more time to stop and need a greater distance from the car in front.

• MOST IMPORTANTLY always think for the other drivers, expect the unexpected, be ready for the decisions they might make and their driving capabilities.