Driving Safe is a Responsibility for More Than Yourself

Driver’s education is an important part of making driving less dangerous for everyone. Everyone should work together to reduce the shocking 34,000 people that die each year in the U.S. as a result of driving. Teaching new drivers proper decision making and how to drive before they start driving results in a safer driver and reduces bad habits. Some habits are so ingrained they go unnoticed, and driver’s ed helps us realize these habits. Driver education also promotes safer driving because students are prepared to handle various types of driving situations. Additionally, students are taught about what can impact their ability to drive at their best, including the consequences of giving in to bad influences. These two topics ensure safer roads because they teach smart, responsible decision-making and to avoid negative influences because they know what- and who- is at risk.

However great the benefits of driver education may be, whether students follow what they have learned is up to each individual. Some people may feel “uncool” if others see them driving “too safely,” others may be pressured by friends in the car to make irresponsible decisions, and some drivers need more training than others. Programs to celebrate or reward safe driving, such as those some insurance companies now offer, have a large impact in encouraging safer driving.

Another powerful method to reduce driving-related fatalities is to explicitly discuss the potentially serious consequences of reckless driving in the hope of giving new drivers a reality check. Modern video games and movies have led many young drivers to miscalculate risks they can take while in a vehicle. My high school organized an immersive presentation on drinking on prom night and I still remember it to this day. They began with a video, then led us outside where they had staged a car wreck and demonstrated the force of airbag detonation. Seeing the consequences firsthand was very illuminating- showing how seemingly harmless decisions can lead to fatalities further imparted the risks of not driving at my best.

An essential- and often overlooked- part of safe driving is to maintain the “trio of safe driving conditions.” This trio includes: safe roads, safe vehicles, and safe drivers. The first part of this is ensuring that roads are maintained and safe for travel. This is mostly on part of the local DPW, but everyone can help with this. If a small tree is on a road, then the first person on the scene can attempt to clear it if safe. If there is a large or dangerous condition, then reporting it to the proper authorities can also be helpful. Local organizations aren’t omnipotent and letting them know that something is wrong can help expedite a solution. There is also the task of preemptively maintaining road conditions. This includes tasks such as filling potholes to avoid blown tires or repaving timely when a road begins to deteriorate. The second part of this “safety trio” is to ensure vehicle safety, which is the responsibility of individual car owners. This includes regular maintenance, such as oil changes and repairs, frequent cleaning of the car, and driving in a manner that respects the limits of the vehicle. The last part of this was mentioned earlier- driver education. Ensuring drivers are properly instructed and following the rules of the road make the roads safer for everyone.

Some instances of driving dangers are unpredictable and unavoidable, like natural disasters or rapid changes in road conditions. Accounting for these is an important task in further improving road safety. To preemptively protect drivers from these kinds of dangers, cars themselves need to be made with increasingly better safety features. The good news is that car companies are doing very well in this area and have made increasingly safe cars. For example, Volvo is known for their 1959 invention of the three-point safety belt that was known as “the most effective life saver in traffic for 50 years,” according to media.volvocars.com. This is not just Volvo’s claim- the site also states, “this invention has been identified by German patent registrars as one of the eight patents to have the greatest significance for humanity […] during […] 1885-1985.” Volvo was also philanthropic enough to open this patent and others, to the general public for free so the entire car industry could benefit. As technology progresses, though, there is an accompanying constant need to adjust and improve.

The most eye-opening instances that made me realize some of my bad driving habits included firsthand experience as a passenger in cars. These were shocking experiences that provided lasting lessons. There are two of these events that quickly come to mind. The first of these was driving with my uncle, who is very busy and often on his phone. He is used to always being available and often texts or talks on the phone while driving, which causes him to swerve and delays his responses to the point where I’m nervous being in the car. Before, I didn’t understand the danger of distracted driving, but now I aim to fully focus on driving. In order to help my uncle drive safer, I talked to him about this habit and asked that he change for his own safety. The second teaching event was when I was in an accident while my friend’s mom was driving. We were at a red light and she bumped into the car in front of us, mistakenly thinking it had turned green. It was a minor event, but it still was shocking. It taught me a few lessons, including to always be aware of other drivers around you. Not only because you are sharing the road, but also because other drivers’ decisions can also impact your safety. I have learned many other lessons from other drivers. There is always something new to learn, such as navigating a roundabout. The lessons I have learned include: Practice safety 24/7 not only when you think it’s needed, and know your limits as well as the limits of your vehicle in order to make safe decisions.

Teaching drivers the proper way to drive is a big part of making driving safer for everyone. It’s startling that the total number of Americans who die within the span of 2 years as a result of driving is more than the total number of American deaths from the Vietnam war. In addition to driver education, there are also other options that can lead to safer roads. Programs to reward safe driving make safer driving a financially smart decision, which makes it a new priority for more people. Maintaining the “trio of safe driving conditions” is also a method to ensure that any road trip has the best chance of success. This trio includes: safe roads, safe vehicles, and safe drivers. Lastly, always being open to learning makes sure every driver can constantly keep improving. These types of lessons can come from driving, being a passenger, discussions, or even being a bystander.