The Sirens

In a blink of an eye, a cascade of events occurred: the impact, tension within the chest and head, the feeling of losing control, shattered glass, bloodshed, and possibly, unconsciousness. After the impact, there comes the longing for others and a burst of questions, where one is seeking to ensure everyone is safe. However, the sirens continue to alarm oneself, as it shocks the body, triggers the mind, and plagues the ears. Unfortunately, all too many people in the United States become familiar with this daunting noise, for this calling will be heard by those that were involved in a car crash.

The prevalence of motor vehicle deaths, according to the National Safety Council, “Between 1913 and 2019… in the United States increased 831%, from 4,200 deaths in 1913 to 39,107 in 2019. Driving is becoming a form of deadly warfare, and in order to reduce the amount of motor vehicle-related deaths, driver education is a key principle in a system that reduces car accidents and in turn, mortality and morbidity. By taking on a system-thinking approach, driver education provides a negative feedback loop, where this factor dampens the amount of car accidents. By taking on this approach, we must look at the characteristics of a system: a system changes if any component is added or reduced, and in which case, if our goal is to reduce the amount of car accidents, by eliminating driver education, that will increase the amount of car accidents. This poses a positive feedback loop, where the amount of car accidents is magnified. In addition, within a system, system parts are connected, and their arrangement matters. Also, the behavior of a system depends on its structure. Driver education strengthens the structure of a system that aims to reduce the number of car accidents.

By examining health across the lifespan, age is the most important and influential factor in health, and how we categorize or group age matters to form interventions. If driver education is applied as form of an intervention, it must be implemented among the correct age bracket to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. According to Drive Smart, across the United States, the minimum age by state for a learner’s permit ranges between ages 14 through 16. This means that driver education should be implemented before any youth sets forth on the road. It is foundational to teach the next generation the proper ways of the road. Another factor to examine is that health is population-specific, meaning populations can change over time and so can health risks. Thus, how about the adults of the road? Essentially, we are teaching the youth to safeguard themselves as well others on the road, but if we do not address the aging population, we are just teaching them to shield the adults of the road. Henceforth, how can we change behaviors that have been consistent for years?

States hold a special power that was granted by the Tenth Amendment. The Tenth Amendment states that “The powers delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the State, respectively, or to the people.” Due to this amendment, it creates a form of negative constitution, where the states are allowed to make decision or laws, but they are not required. Furthermore, this provides states police power, where states are granted the power to establish and enforce laws that protect the “common good.” Fundamentally, to change the malpractice of driving, each state should enforce more stipulations on driving and promote driver education. Instead of just connecting the youth, outreach programs are possible in order to connect the public. With respect to the social ecological model, states can promote driver education through the individual level, interpersonal level, organizational level, community level, and/or policy level through police power. Truly, it starts with one initiative, such as campaigning for driver education or even promoting slogans that enhance safe driving.

Although I have never been directly impacted by any car accident, my fellow community members and others surrounding me have been directly impacted by reckless driving. The malpractice of driving is a public health problem, and to solve the root problem at hand, driver education must be promoted by state and by the people of the state. In order to be a strong advocate for those who have been directly impacted by a car accident, I will share with the public, through social media platforms, an accurate presentation of what safe driving looks like, provide sources for my information, and be conscientious of my health literacy, so that my information is adequately presented to the audience. In terms of the content of my communication, I will present simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotions, and stories to enhance my message, grab the audience, and hold their attention through visuals and first-hand experience. Ultimately, a more informed and educated public will result in a better future with safe drivers, reducing the amount of motor vehicle-related deaths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citations:

National Safety Council. “Car Crash Deaths and Rates.” Injury Facts, 29 Mar. 2021, https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/historical-fatality-trends/deaths-and-rates/.

Rhino Car Hire. “Minimum Driving Age by State the Minimum Age to Drive in the US Is Set at State Level, We Compare Minimum Driving Ages by State.” Minimum Driving Age by State – US Driving Age – Rhinocarhire.com, https://www.rhinocarhire.com/Drive-Smart-Blog/Minimum-Driving-Age-Country/Minimum-Driving-Age-State.aspx.

“United States of America 1789 (Rev. 1992) Constitution.” Constitute, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_States_of_America_1992.