Safety Behind the Wheel...
Driving safely in Lubbock, TX, can be challenging even on the best of days, but what is the definition of safety? Surely it isn’t changing lanes without a blinker, talking on the phone in 5 o’clock traffic, or going 35 M.P.H. on the loop. Safety should be a prime concern when we climb into the driver seat of our cars. Yet, is that really the case in society today?
One of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States is car accidents. Warnings and cautions are continually repeated, but the phrase driving safely has different translations for different people. Staying in touch with friends and family is easier than ever with mobile phones, palm pilots, laptops, the list goes on and on. But with the added convenience comes added danger on the road. It has become a practice of bad habit by many, but this isn't the only problem drivers in this day and time seem to be having.
Statistics provided by the National Safety Council, www.nsc.org/public/GDL/williams.pdf, show that drivers on the very ends of the driving spectrum, the youngest and oldest drivers tested, are the ones with the worst record as far as driving safely goes. These two groups of drivers have considerably more wrecks than the age groups in between the two.
The older generation of society today seem to be having trouble letting go of the keys when it's time. Driving Instructor Cindi Garrett, says that the roads have changed. There's about four times more cars on Texas roads today, compared to roads 20 years ago.
''Some of those elderly drivers you're talking about learned to drive on the farm when they were 16 and now they're 76...60 years ago. In the last 20 years, there were four times less the amount of cars, what about 60 years ago?"
Aubrey Burdine, age 84, shared his thoughts on driving in general.
“Well, it’s dangerous, young or old or whatever. The real young is dangerous and the real old is dangerous," Burdine said. "I don’t think anyone should drive when they realize they aren’t able, and you’ll know when you’re not able to drive. I’m at that point now. I still have my driver’s license. It’s still good, but I will not drive unless my eyes get better.”
Overall, who on the road is statistically proven to be the least safe? According to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Web-site, it’s teens – the young drivers who are just getting their chance at freedom on the road. However, the slightly more experienced drivers should not think they are out of the red zone. In today's world we are always on the run and with the use of technology becoming easier and more common, to many that means talking on the phone while driving, switching CD's in that six disc changer will changing lanes, etc..
Samuel Kitchens, a senior history and political science major from Moody, Texas, said he occasionally uses a cell phone, but tries to limit his time since having a minor accident while using his phone.
“I usually don’t talk when I’m doing something difficult,” Kitchens said. “I stop talking until the driving maneuver is complete,” Kitchens said.
Trooper Davala Hayden reminds drivers what they often forget from their Driver's Education class - to remember to stay attentive and be prepared, because otherwise you may end up like many multi-taskers, talking on their cell phones with the insurance company.