Driving as Social Responsibility

Car accidents are some of life’s most devastating events, particularly because they happen when you least expect them. Last year, my car was totaled by a reckless driver. I will never forget that day, from the screech of metal to my trembling limbs to the pain I felt seeing my mangled car on the side of the road.

Physically, barring some muscle soreness, I was fine, but mentally, I was not. For months, I struggled with PTSD-like flashbacks when in cars, both as driver and passenger. One particularly bad night, after witnessing an accident happen in front of me on the highway, it took me 30 minutes to calm down. Still, it was a near miss—had I been farther up that road, I might not even have been alive today to write this essay.

When it comes to preventing accidents, drivers ed is where it begins. Driving lessons should be taught early and often. In drivers ed courses, accident victims can be invited as guest speakers to share their stories. One needs only to look at TED Talks for an example of the profound power this holds. Invited stories can leave an indelible mark on the minds of new drivers and help the abstract lessons of drivers ed sink in in a much more concrete, tangible, and meaningful way.

Educational materials should also reflect the myriad of ways in which distracted driving manifests, beyond cellphone use. In my accident, the driver who totaled my car was trying to smoke a cigarette, but his lighter fell down. Because he bent down to pick it up, he took his eyes off the road, missed the red light, and collided with my vehicle. This accident was easily preventable: it should never have happened. All drivers must understand that their priority when in the driver’s seat is just that—to drive, to ensure that everyone makes it to their desired destinations unharmed.

Another underappreciated strategy is defensive driving. The techniques taught in defensive driving go beyond the basics of how to operate a vehicle—they help drivers anticipate hazards on the road and remain actively engaged while driving. This is beneficial for all and can significantly reduce the risk of deaths on the road. Thus, defensive driving should be woven into the fabric of all drivers ed courses.

Finally, drivers should be required to maintain their skills beyond initial licensing. This already exists for professions involving skill and risk, like doctors and first responders. Since driving is an activity that many people engage in daily, the value of continuing education and assessment becomes apparent.

That said, each of us must also take individual responsibility, by checking ourselves while driving to avoid risky behavior or using gentle call-ins for friends or family members exhibiting unsafe driving practices. Because we all share the road, we hold a social responsibility to others. This means holding ourselves and others accountable, to help keep everyone safe. If we do this, together, we can achieve safer roads for all.