Driving Safety

Jasmine Taft

30 June 2020

Driving Safety

Road safety is not a relatively popular topic with my generation, Gen Z. In drivers ed courses students watch videos, have cyclists come in and speak, and learn the penalties of inadequate adherence to the rules of the road. These tactics implemented by state and local u in the drivers ed courses are helpful; however, they are not impactful. To make streets safer, I would implement a drivers ed curriculum that is impactful, in the literal and rhetorical sense. First, on my agenda, I would have driving simulators added to drivers ed courses. By having simulators for students to practice driving with cyclists, this will allow the drivers ed instructors to correct the students before they test their skills on the road. This precautionary practice will further allow students, who do not have the means to practice driving outside of the classroom, a chance to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.

Secondly, to make the streets safer, I would require students to learn bike signals. This is required for cyclists to learn, however it is redundant to have cyclists learn them when their automobile driving counterparts are not familiar with them. Learning bike signals before driving will be giving the students a chance to perform better on the simulator and break the language barrier between cyclists and automobile drivers on the road. Seeing as automobile drivers do not have to be immersed in the world of cyclists, it is much more challenging for drivers to understand the adversities cyclists face on the road and fully internalize the importance of adhering to the precautionary measures they are taught. I strongly believe car accidents involving bikes would drastically decrease if automobile drivers were able to take a walk in a cyclist’s shoes and retain the safety knowledge they have to. My final change to drivers ed courses would be requiring a mini test on bike signals, especially considering that it is not required (at least in North Carolina).

In addition, cyclists often face the issue of being caught in blind spots, not having enough “safe space” in lanes, and encountering angry automobile drivers in parking lots. Cyclists also faces the issue of angry drivers and aggravated pedestrians. As society finds more innovative ways to incorporate technology in a variety of manners, I feel bike lanes, bike traffic lights, and special parking spaces away from cars for cyclists would help minimize accidents and keep streets safe. The specialized bike lanes would guarantee cyclists a space of their own; therefore, minimizing the language barrier and giving cyclists a smooth safe ride. Just as automobile lanes and pedestrians have a crosswalk light to follow, these newly implemented bike lanes would need traffic lights, that would be in sync with the other road lights. Ensuring the proper flow of traffic for automobile drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Lastly, the specialized parking would create more parking for automobiles, while giving cyclists a safe space to rest, leave their mode of transportation, and generate revenue for the business, thus helping our nation’s GDP.