Improving Road Safety

Improving Road Safety

Yin Deng

In 2019, 235 driving-related casualties occurred in Washington (Kornfeld, 2019). 235 may appear insignificant compared to more staggering statistics. However, imagine those impacted; a family driving to meet with the grandparents, a student commuting to school, and a working parent returning home to their children. In 235 incidents, the opportunities to see loved ones, to achieve goals, and to make new memories, were tragically cut short by preventable accidents. In order to reduce driving-related casualties in Washington, and across the country, reforms in the drivers ed and court system should be implemented. 

Drivers ed is significant because it teaches drivers and other stakeholders of the causes of driving-related casualties, of safe driving practices, and of how to effectively educate peers on safe driving. Consequently, improving drivers ed is critical in reducing the number of driving-related casualties. For instance, “50% [of] roadway fatalities [are] due to impaired driving” in Washington (“Impaired Driving.”). Impaired drivers often experience slower reaction times, blurred vision, and reduced coordination (Crowley, 2017). These effects can drastically increase the risk of a fatal accident by more than 300% (“Impaired Driving.”); as one of the leading causes of driving-related casualties, it is important that this information is taught to all age groups. Impaired driving could arise among teenagers after drinking at a party, among adults after some wine at dinner, and even among elders that take prescription drugs. When all stakeholders are better educated, everyone involved can work together to prevent and reduce driving-related casualties. 

In order to reduce driving-related casualties, drivers ed should be included within the states’ education system. This would increase the accessibility for all students to gain the critical information that is taught in drivers ed (Hanson, 2019). In addition, drivers ed can effectively push against existing social norms that have to an extent normalized some dangerous driving behaviors. Similarly, an expansion in alcohol server training programs to more extensively cover responsible serving practices should be enforced (Hanson, 2019). More knowledgeable servers will better understand how to responsibly serve customers to help prevent driving-related casualties. Lastly, states should increase the accessibility of DWI courts. DWI courts work with repeat offenders to address the core issue of substance and/or alcohol addiction that results in frequent impaired driving. By increasing the number of DWI courts, more repeat offenders can access these valuable resources. These courts have shown tremendous success as they “help reduce recidivism by 60%” (NCDC). Implementation of these reforms can help decrease driving-related casualties across all age groups and severity. 

On an individual level, I will continue to abide by traffic laws that have helped me avoid being in a car accident. I will also better educate myself and others on the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors, and I will actively work to prevent such incidents in order to encourage safe driving. Through new safety reforms and individual efforts, improved road safety and a decrease in driving-related casualties can be achieved at all levels.

Bibliography 

Crowley, Kevin. “How Drunk Driving Accidents Effect Those Involved: Physically, Psychologically and Emotionally.” Northpoint Washington’s Blog, 1 Sept. 2017, www.northpointwashington.com/blog/drunk-driving-accidents-effect-involved-physically-psychologically-emotionally/.

Hanson, David J. “Drinking and Driving Is a Serious Problem. Discover How to Reduce It.” Alcohol Problems & Solutions, 13 Nov. 2019, www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/drinking-and-driving/.

“Impaired Driving.” Washington Traffic Safety Commission, wtsc.wa.gov/programs-priorities/impaired-driving/.

Kornfeld, Robert. “Washington State 2019 Car Accident Statistics.” Kornfeld Law, 17 Dec. 2019, www.kornfeldlaw.com/blog/2019/december/washington-state-2019-car-accident-statistics/#:~:text=2019%20Overall%20Statistics,235%20were%20fatal%20crashes.

NCDC. “What’s at Stake.” DUI and DWI Courts – NCDC, www.dwicourts.org/whatsatstake/.