Kings of the Road

Education regarding any sort of dangerous equipment is regarded as crucial in our society, so it is no wonder that all states mandate a license of some sort to operate cars, one of the leading causes of death across the globe. While information regarding operating vehicles has become much more widespread due to a variety of factors such as through passed down knowledge, mandated classes in some states, massive campaigns, as well as social media, knowing information is one thing — utilizing what you have learned is on another level. When we use what we learn from drivers education, whether it is when we check our side mirrors, rear view mirror, or any of the car windows at our disposal, or when we observe road signs to slow down at curves, or even when we buckle our seat belt, we’re doing a service to not only ourselves but to the people around us as well, friend and stranger.

There are both simple and complex ways to reduce the number of deaths regarding driving. Some basic personal rules to follow are already well known: buckle up in a vehicle, don’t drive when drunk or in an erratic state, be aware of your surroundings, etc. Those rules do not only apply to the driver but to the passengers as well; any person, animal, or object can be as big of a danger as the driver. Ensure that whatever else in the vehicle will not heavily affect your eyesight when viewing around your car, and if it does, do the extra bit of work to ensure that it doesn’t distract you from driving. Ask your passengers to buckle up, to not move erratically, and to be quiet when necessary — the driver should not only be in control of the car but its passenger. If you have animals or objects on board, make sure to secure them.

As a society though, multiple solutions can be conjured up for differing effects. Taking part in carpools can reduce the number of drivers on the road, and thus the chance of a dangerous driver being on the road decreases. Looking at the bigger picture, advocating for public transportation can make a drastic effect on the amount of people on the road. Through the rise of trains and buses, we not only provide a much more accessible form of transportation to the public, but also help decrease the amount of emitting vehicles. This, however, is a long term goal and solution, yet it should not be overlooked for what it can achieve and what it already has achieved for other nations. At the same time, we can also design roads to be safer. Studying parts of civil engineering has shown me the ludicrous amounts of ways these city planners try to make the road safer for all, since people in cars are not the only people on the roads. Everyday pedestrians going to school, work, lunch, etc have to commonly cross busy roads to get to their destination; meanwhile, bikers may sometimes share the road too. While pedestrian crossings and bike lanes commonly come to mind, other methods have been taken to deter the interaction between cars and other users of the road. Some cities have created entire bridges to bridge the gap between destinations, while other more cost effective tools are used as well, such as HAWK beacons as well as clever road design.

While I luckily have never been in a car accident, all of my other family members and friends have at least once, both recently and years ago. Most of the time, permanent scars physically and mentally are avoided, yet an automotive accident still leaves behind a trace of itself with you long after the circumstance. Not only that, but it can leave you strapped for cash and without a vehicle. In other cases, it has left my loved ones in pain for years, even after visiting multiple clinics and hospitals without much relief. While fear doesn’t overtake me while I drive, I always have the thought of a car accident pop up in my mind every now and then, and it reminds me of what it has done to the people I love.

As a fledgling driver, I must remember and use the information that I’ve stated others should use; it would be hypocritical and dangerous otherwise. Even as I grow older and gain many years under my belt driving, following the rules, yet also adapting to situations will be crucial to maintain road safety for everyone. We are all kings of the road, but it does not mean we’re invulnerable.