Drivers Causing Traffic
How do Drivers Cause Traffic?
Driver mentality is something that isn’t addressed enough in the United States. The way drivers think on the road often goes unaddressed when considering driver and road safety. We hope to improve driver mentality through driving courses that target both driving skills and managing mentality on the road.
Driving Courses
Driving courses are used to improve your actual driving skill. Most courses offered by states’ BMVs and DMVs will focus on both driving mentality/awareness and driving skill. Professional driving courses offer professional, 1 on 1 lessons and personalized experiences, but come at a steeper cost.
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Driving courses would provide drivers with the skills to conquer challenges on the road, while focusing on defensive driving and traffic laws. More skillful and knowledgeable drivers will lead to more efficient traffic, less congestion, and fewer accidents.
Traffic Accidents
A study on accidents in the National Library of Medicine defines a traffic accident as “the failure of the road vehicle driver system to perform one or more activities required for the trip to be completed without harm or loss”. (Federal Highway Administration, 2019b) The study lists multiple different causes of accidents, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or various other drugs, and poor roadway design.
Accidents can cause significant levels of congestion. They are unplanned, unexpected, and cause major problems. Accidents shut down lanes, and sometimes entire roads, leaving traffic at a standstill for hours until responders can clear the road. Creating safer drivers through increased DMV requirements and helping new drivers understand roads and driver behavior better will help fight against congestion.
Types of Drivers
Our roads hold many different types of drivers. New drivers, old drivers, good drivers bad drivers, tired drivers, distracted drivers, and even intoxicated drivers. Handling these different drivers all the while focusing on driving yourself, in addition to possible road conditions, can lead to a very stressful time while driving. We aim to assist in eliminating stress while driving by giving solutions and strategies to use while driving.
Driving Strategies
Defensive driving: Being a more defensive driver on the roads allow one to avoid dangerous and stressful situations. 94% of serious crashes are due to human error, and defensive driving courses aim to address this issue and reverse this statistic.
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Road knowledge: Being more aware and alert to drivers around you will make your experiences as a driver safer, keeping you and your loved ones away from danger. Awareness of your surroundings will save lives, as an alert and aware driver making a crucial maneuver can save lives.