Drivers’ Education and Focus

Drivers’ Education and Focus

Proper driver education makes the road safer for new drivers and those around them. As someone who just obtained his permit, I know that I was nervous the first time I was on the road, to say the least. A proper driver’s education program will ensure, firstly, that new drivers have everything they need to know before they go on the road, and, secondly, that they have the confidence they need to drive smoothly. A lack of confidence can mean that a driver hesitates at a crucial moment, like in an intersection or before a turn, thereby causing an accident. If every driver knows what they are doing and abides by the proper regulations, driving goes smoothly.

Most accidents happen in intersections, where simply knowing the proper procedure can reduce collisions; but more fatal accidents happen on the open road thanks to distracted driving. When people drive on a straight road, they do not expect hazards as much as at an intersection, where cars are coming from several directions and the driver is required to decide where to go. Ultimately, intersections require more focus and so are not as fatal; the way to reduce collisions on the open road is to make sure that drivers stay focused.

There are two types of distractions on the road: inside and outside the car. Right now, there are no major regulations on car interiors. One thing I personally see when people drive by are objects hanging from the rearview mirror or on the dashboard. Regardless of where they are, a moving object in the driver’s field of view is distracting and should be eliminated. On the outside, large or brightly colored signs and billboards can take the driver’s eyes off the road. All of these distractions can be eliminated with new driving regulations, but for the time being, educating people may be the best we can do. Part of driver’s education should be how to focus on the road and ignore distractions.

The last time I was in a car accident, it was a dark, icy winter morning. My brother was driving at the time, and we were stopped at an intersection when we were rear-ended. The driver behind us neglected to account for the ice on the road when approaching us, and so when he tried to brake, his car kept moving and collided with us. Part of knowing how to drive is knowing how to account for the conditions on the road, and part of focused driving is understanding what the conditions are and how the driver needs to account for them. Every driver should be taught these skills, because every driver, at some point or another, will have to drive in inclement conditions.

Every driver can eliminate distractions on the inside of their vehicle by keeping the dashboard clean and windshield clear. Using voice commands (on newer cars) or simply having a passenger use the navigation and media systems of the car also lets the driver maintain awareness of what is around them by eliminating the need to look away from the road. While we can’t control external distractions, we can learn to tune them out and account for road conditions: skills that can be taught to others, and so should be taught to every new driver.