Benefits of Drivers Education

January 26, 2022 by

Many benefits come with enrolling in driver’s education (or enrolling your children and loved ones in a course). Some of them are obvious, as many states now require a course for people under a certain age before they can attempt to get their license.

Other benefits may take more thought, but they are still critical to a safe driving experience. Let’s take some time to talk about all of the benefits of taking a driving education course.

Practical Preparation

Part of driver’s education is getting student drivers ready to take and pass their tests. It gives them the practical experience they need and a solid understanding of the laws and risks that they need to be aware of.

Confidence

Learning to drive a car can be intimidating. A car is the largest vehicle they will ever be in control of for most people. That can be scary. However, diving headfirst into a driver’s ed course can help give people more confidence over the situation. It’s easier to feel confident about something we properly respect and understand.

Rules of the Road

There are hundreds of laws and rules of the road that one must learn and follow. Some of these rules may feel second nature. But many require a proper explanation, especially for those that have never been on the road before. Instructors also educate students on driving etiquette and other potential safety concerns.

Reduced Insurance Premiums

Attending a driver’s education course helps ease the burden on one’s wallet. Teen drivers are the most expensive group to insure, but a targeted course can help reduce those premiums.

Hazards and Risks

Drivers ed does more than teach students the laws of driving. It teaches them about potential hazards they may face on the road. This includes risks such as driving under the influence, distractions within the car, and potential dangers on the road. 

Many instructors also believe in teaching students about defensive driving. This is a form of driving where one always strives to avoid accidents. Usually, it requires the driver to be aware of their vehicle, other cars on the road, and any other potential concerns – including environmental changes.

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The Future of Brake Technology

December 27, 2021 by

Every year there are technical experts in every field working to make driving safer for everyone. While many people are focused on the latest inventions, others look to perfect what already exists.

Automakers are currently working on new ways to make braking and driving safer than ever. High-quality brake systems are one essential component of preventing accidents. It doesn’t do a vehicle any good to automatically detect a potential accident when the brakes cannot prevent it from happening. Read further to get a look at the future of brake technology.

Current Braking Systems

Currently, there are three main types of braking systems. The first is called brake-by-wire, where there is an electronic system (wires) in control of the braking system. This is instead of having a physical connection working the brakes.

Next, there’s automatic emergency braking. Automatic emergency braking systems automatically detect impact and apply the brakes to prevent further damage. Ideally, this system will help accidents from becoming worse.

Finally, there’s post-crash braking. According to Henry Scott of Ford, up to twenty percent of all accidents are followed by a second collision. That’s where post-crash brakes come into play. They are designed to help prevent a secondary accident from occurring.

New Braking Systems

In response to the increased need for safety, many car manufacturers are working on their own solutions to braking systems. For example, Siemens is working on what they’re calling a wedge brake. Their wedge brake reportedly has a shorter stopping distance than traditional brakes.

Brembo is another company looking to revolutionize the braking system. Brembo’s latest initiative looks to make driving both safer and greener, and that includes their brake systems. They are currently working with AI to develop a more innovative way of autonomous braking, which can take weather conditions into account, among other things.

Different Uses for Braking Systems

Believe it or not, braking systems are being deployed beyond their most obvious uses. Manufacturers are looking to use braking systems to help cars stay in their lanes, maintain a better grip on slippery roads, and even the ability to brace for a detected and impending collision.

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Distracted Driving Laws and their Impact on Driving Safety

November 22, 2021 by

Distracted driving has become a focal point for debate in recent years. At this point, it is well understood that most accidents are caused by driver error. This rate has been increasing in recent years, as drivers find themselves more distracted.

Distracted Driving

According to Mass.gov, the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers has gone up by one hundred and seventy percent (2014-2016). And that’s just based on Massachusetts statistics. Every state and country is dealing with the same concern.

One federal report indicated that there were 3,142 deaths associated with distracted driving – in 2019 alone. Delving into these stats a little further, young drivers under thirty had a higher percentage than older drivers.

Distracted driving can come in many forms. A driver could be focused on their phone, GPS, music, hundreds of different things. Think back to the last time you were on the road: how often did you see somebody on their phone or a driver without hands on the wheel?

New Laws

In response to the rise of distracted driving, many states have opted to enforce new laws. In America, forty-eight states have passed laws banning texting while driving. In addition, thirty states have banned handheld devices for drivers. 

Some states don’t stop there – twenty-four states have now banned all cellphone use while driving. As with many regulations, these are specific to the state and can have slight variations. Some states have even begun to tackle other forms of distracted driving. For example, New Jersey recently passed Maggie’s Law, a law designed to target drowsy driving.

In many instances, the laws regarding distracted driving tend to be harsher for teen drivers. Having a distracted teen behind the wheel has always been a concern. As such, there are laws already on the books in many states regarding teen distractions. These new initiatives are merely adding to what was already there.

Do They Work?

The real question on everyone’s mind is: do these distracted driving laws work? While no such initiative will be flawless, there is evidence to suggest that these laws impact society.

The University of Alabama Birmingham School of Public Health looked into the impact made by these laws. They found three critical factors. First, enforcement of the laws resulted in fewer fatalities associated with distracted driving. Second, targeting specific populations (IE: teen drivers) was highly effective in terms of reducing the number of deaths among this group. And third, a total ban on phones/handheld devices did effectively reduce accidents resulting in fatalities.

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