Driver Safety – A huge problem in the modern world

According to a study published by the National Safety Council, approximately 38,000 people lost their lives to road accidents and roughly 4.4 million people were injured – severe enough to require immediate medical attention – in the US in the year 2019. On a much larger scale, the number of deaths to road accident globally stood at a whopping 1.35 million in the year 2019 alone. With the increase in population and a demographic shift towards the middle class, the number of deaths worldwide is set to rise to around 4 million by 2050: a situation that requires immediate attention. Furthermore, in 2017 2,526 of the 40,100 deaths to road accidents in the US were teenage drivers. In such scenarios, programs that focus on educating drivers on their responsibility can significantly reduce the number of causalities. A study conducted by the University of Nebraska analysed the effectiveness of drivers ed programs across 150,000 teen drivers over 8 years. The results suggested the following:

• 11.1 % of the cohort was involved in a car crash as opposed to 12.9% who didn’t take part in the program

• 2.1% of the educated drivers were involved in a severe accident as opposed to 2.6% of drivers that were not part of such programs

• 10.4 per cent of students who took drivers ed were ticketed for moving traffic violations, compared to 18.3 per cent that did not.

Furthermore, the researchers concluded that teens taking drivers ed are less likely to be involved in crashes or to receive a traffic violation during their first two years of driving. “Because teen crashes and fatality rates are highest at ages 16-18, these reductions are especially meaningful”, the head of research Ian Newman quoted. Drivers ed appears to make a difference in teen traffic outcomes at a time when risk is highest.

In addition to drivers ed, several steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Campaigns that highlight the importance of road safety and other geopolitical efforts to spread awareness on the same are few plausible strategies. In most developing countries, the lack of strict laws that punish offenders leads to more deaths due to road accidents and lesser precautionary measures being implemented. The use of technology to implement road safety is a good shout. Installing gyroscopes that automatically reduce the acceleration of a vehicle beyond a certain threshold, and speed-cameras that directly alert drivers through apps are already being implemented in most parts of the world. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) provide features that enable ease of driving and can help reduce fatigue-related accidents. However, at the ground level keeping specific guidelines in mind before taking the wheel can definitely help control the increasing deaths and road kills. Refraining from driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, following traffic rules and speed limits, ensuring regular vehicle maintenance and ensuring one is not fatigued before taking the wheel are steps that can help improve road safety collaboratively and constructively.