- Safety data indicates that American roads are more deadly than they need to be.
- Strategies to combat dangerous roads include changes to cars, drivers, and roads.
- What would you do to improve road safety?
Safety on the road is something that involves everyone. Over the last 45 years, roadway fatalities saw a steady decline before a surge in the last decade. Now, we’re asking you, what should we do to make roads safer for everyone?
Automakers have developed a plethora of safety tech over the last few decades. Despite that, fatal crashes are up and nobody seems to have a surefire fix for the problem. Previously we covered the complex nature of road safety.
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At the time, it seemed that inadequate safety-focused infrastructure and concern over pedestrians played a large role. Today, other factors are becoming just as important. According to The Economist, weight is one of the leading causes of danger on the roads. It claims that, on average, the heaviest vehicles on the road kill 37 people for every 10,000 crashes. Median-weighted vehicles killed only 5.7 people for every 10,000 and light-weight vehicles killed only 2.6.
One solution, then, would be for automakers to make their cars lighter. EVs are a prime example of that. Having to lug around a hefty battery pack makes them heavier than most ICE counterparts – and if we’re talking trucks, oftentimes obscenely so. Since, like it or not, the world is going electric, keeping new vehicles’ weight at reasonable levels would seem like a good idea, likely through clever design and the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum. A lighter car is also more maneuverable, it can brake more quickly and swerve more accurately in an emergency situation, all of which can help reduce accidents.
It’s a bold proposition, but hear me out. If we want people to be more engaged and attentive drivers, perhaps we should make driving itself more enjoyable. A well-handling car can make the experience more rewarding, encouraging drivers to pay closer attention to the road and appreciate the art of driving. Consider just about any hobby like pottery, painting, or playing an instrument. Even those with no aspirations of being a professional still strive to improve because they enjoy what they’re doing.
Another thing that could help reduce road fatalities is tougher licensing and ongoing driver training. Introducing stricter driving tests, regular check-ups, and mandatory refresher courses to keep drivers sharp, knowledgeable, and safe on the road would, in our opinion, go a long way toward creating a safer environment on our streets.
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Moreover, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of infrastructure and upkeep. Better lighting, clearer signs, fresh road markings, and fixing potholes and rough patches all would help prevent accidents from happening in the first place.
Perhaps your answer is tougher laws or more advanced tech in cars, but if that’s the case, you’d better get specific – because those ideas are as broad as they are vague. So, what say you? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter in the comments section right below.
