Driving Towards Disaster

Given the choice, would you rather eat a poison-infused cookie or a regular cookie? Such a question often isn’t asked because we can assume that most of us would choose the latter. If this is the case, then why take the risk of texting and driving? Why take the risk of driving drunk? Why turn what could’ve been a perfectly normal ride into a ride that puts your life, or someone else’s life, in danger?

From a young age, many of us want to learn – or are indifferent to – driving. For some it offers freedom, for others it offers security, and for others, it offers a career. Because of this, most high schools start offering driver’s education from sophomore year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008 approximately 62% of drivers in the USA had taken a driver’s education course before getting their license. There are even private organizations dedicated to driving lessons. And yet, in the same year, there were about 5,811,000 crashes. This number doesn’t mean that driver’s education is unimportant, though; Out of those who didn’t take driver’s education, 12.9% of drivers were involved in accidents compared to the 11.1% who did take driver’s education. 81% of parents in 2020 said their kids received a better driver’s education than they did. More and more people are getting more and more exposed to the implications of being a driver. The newer generation is one of our best bets for decreasing driving accidents. This is only half the struggle, though. The other half is knowing why people get into accidents.

There’s a reason why weather forecasters issue a warning not to drive during a storm – distracted driving is the number one cause of related accidents. Distractions can be many things: the weather, a passenger, your phone, food, or even your health. We’ve all heard the slogan “Don’t Drink and Drive”, or more recently, the slogan “Don’t Text and Drive”. These both fall into the category of distracted driving. So why do people do it? According to a study done by McGill University, drunk drivers aren’t able to judge their capabilities, meaning they don’t know if they are actually up to the task of driving. We can apply this logic to distracted drivers. Distracted drivers probably think that they can multitask while driving, or that they can pull it off. I’ve been lucky enough to not be in a car accident, and lucky enough to have responsible drivers in my family. For others, there may not be the same chance to learn about the dangers of distracted driving from others. Without knowing the true consequences of thinking in the way that they do, those who drive drunk, drive and text, drive tired, or fall victim to multiple other kinds of distractions have to face reality directly, in often harsh ways.

Having said that, this doesn’t have to be the case. Changes can be made. The first step is to increase the number of cameras on traffic lights. Cameras on traffic lights are mostly used on highways and toll roads. However, putting more cameras on traffic lights at intersections and community roads would help us with one thing: catching irresponsible drivers. Capturing drivers with a habit of distracted driving will allow authorities to help them, whether that be through rehab, fines, or driving education. Similarly, having drivers under probation before judgment (where the convicted will have to display good behavior during a trial period that takes place before a court hearing) will have the same effect, or an even greater effect, according to an inquiry conducted in Maryland. In their research, they found that probation before judgment reduced the rate of repeat offenders more than heavy fines. Coupled with increasing surveillance, these actions will surely have an impact on the number of deaths related to driving. Even so, these measures can’t be completed without the second step – increasing awareness.

Doing so is easier said than done. It seems like no matter how much information about driving is spread, the number of accidents will not waver. This is why putting more emphasis on catching reckless drivers and focusing on repercussions will help to spread awareness much easier than before. Spreading awareness through social media is the best way to get a broader reach. Sharing online flyers or infographics on apps like Instagram or TikTok will help to get the attention of younger generations. Another way to spread awareness is to host more in-person or online events concerning how to be a safe driver. Something like this can be pushed out during April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The National Safety Council could sponsor such events during that month. Events like these can appeal to adults or can take place in schools, private driving organizations, etc.

Being a driver is undoubtedly a huge undertaking. At times it can feel rather stressful, which is why it’s important to have a trusted driver that you can talk to. Rather than feeling unconfident on the road, having someone you can express your doubts to is the first stride towards staying away from driving accidents. For drivers, always be sure to wear your seatbelt and to keep track of your surroundings. Try to recognize your driving flaws – fixing your harmful habits first will help you fix other people’s habits. If you aren’t at a driving age yet, look out for your safety – if you think that a driver is driving recklessly, make sure that you express those concerns to that driver. And the easiest way to become a better driver? By taking a driver’s education class.

Driving is both a blessing and a curse. It’s up to you to choose which one you make it.