A Driver’s Attention

Driver’s deaths every year continue to rise with the modern age. Radios, billboards, cell phones and other devices distract drivers on the road, while alcohol and drugs impair driving abilities. Death tolls steadily climb the charts, especially among teenagers, with the rise of social media. A driver’s attention has changed from watching the road to watching a phone.

Implements put in place to fight against the rising statistics have been seatbelts, airbags, DUI laws, driver’s education courses, and regulated licenses. Drivers licenses especially have helped combat both fatalities and injuries from vehicular accidents. This is evident in comparing the number of deaths in the US, which enforces driver licenses, compared to a country like Egypt, a country that does not require its citizens to have driver licenses. In America, 12.4 people out of 100,000 die from fatal car crashes every year. Whereas, in Egypt 42 people out of 100,000 every year die from fatal car crashes. Egypt’s larger vehicular fatality rate is due to the unregulated drivers on the streets. America, unlike Egypt and other countries with higher vehicular fatality rates, enforces licenses obtained through proof of road knowledge tests, proof of ability and driving skills tests, and stricter laws regarding driving eligibility. Efforts within Egypt have been made throughout the years to reduce car accidents. However, from 2008 to 2012 there were 100,000 crashes resulting in 33,000 dead and 150,000 injured; this translates to 3.3 deaths per car accident and car crashes dominate as the leading cause of death in Egypt. Yet, to this day no driver license is required.

In America the leading cause of vehicular fatalities is distracted driving. Cell Phones have significantly driven this cause, especially among teen drivers. Between the media, music, and social media, the attention of the driver is constantly under attack, along with their concentration and attention span. One step taken to prevent a driver from giving into the temptation of their cell phone while driving has been “Driving Mode;” a feature implemented by several of the most popular apps and cell phone providers themselves. Driving Mode is where the cell phone shuts down into a silent, non-accessible mode when it senses the phone is moving at a speed congruent with a vehicle, or if the phone’s Bluetooth is connected to a car. While this feature has been helpful, it may not be enough to lower the rate of fatal car crashes within the US. Attention within society have turned from our physical surroundings to our virtual surroundings, leading our instincts to be more inclined to our phones, even while driving. Solutions that have been put in place to work against the death tolls of distracted drivers have been more restrictive laws. Every state in the union, with the exception of New Hampshire, requires the driver to stay buckled. Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have made texting and driving illegal. There are street signs, traffic lights, and speed radars built into traffic light cameras, and speed limit signs. “Driving Modes” have also been put into effect by cell phone companies, which shut a phone off when it senses it is traveling by car. Another solution that would be good to add to these preventative measures to vehicular fatalities would be to put licensed drivers through a course, or simulator that has them go through an “accident” where real world consequences would be their loved ones dying. This solution would have the goal of educating about the dangers of distractions and instilling fear into the new drivers demonstrating that not only are other’s lives on the line, but theirs are too.

This solution has proven useful in real life. Parents, siblings, and most familial relations tend to drive safer when their family is in the car. An example of this is my own parents. They drive efficiently, yet cautiously. They are also more prone to becoming upset when others drive recklessly when their kids are in the car. An example of this simulation happening is when my father was driving with the entire immediate family in the car. We had stopped at a McDonald’s for a late dinner, using the drive through. When we were at the exit my father had looked both ways but had not seen an approaching car from the left. We had pulled out only to be T-boned by the other car pushing us up onto the curb of the opposite side of the road and onto a grass patch. Luckily no one was hurt, but to this day my father always double checks himself when looking both ways.

Myself, and others, can be better drivers by putting these lessons into action. Learning and understanding the rules of the road, focusing on driving, and being aware of the risks vehicles can bring. What helps me to be a safe driver on the road is being aware that it is not just me at risk. Today people don’t take the time to think that there is a mother, father, grandparent, child, or grandchild in the other car. There is always another life at stake, not to mention the rippling effects on the lives of others like loved ones. With the ingrained urge of instant gratification in our society pushing people to focus on their phones rather than their surroundings while they’re on the road. In today’s new world, people must be mindful of where they keep their attention focused.

Works Cited

Golia, Maria. “Traffic Accidents in Egypt: The Need for Reform” Mei@75. 24 November 2014. Website. 13 November 2022

Puvanachandra, P et al. “Road Traffic Injuries and Data Systems in Egypt: Addressing the Challenges.” Traffic injury prevention vol. 13 Suppl 1. 2012. Website. 13 November 2022

Swartz, Anna & Hurst, Andrew. “Is Texting and Driving Illegal?” Polygenius. 08 March 2022. Website. 13 November 2022

“The Ultimate List of Driving Statistics for 2022” Driving Tests. Website. 13 November 2022