More Causes of why People Crash

 

More Root Causes of Why People Crash

Here I am studying more reasons on why crashes occur out there on the road. The more I understand, the better an instructor I'll be. I have developed a taste for client centred methods of driving instruction. It's leading to ever more rewarding lessons for me and my pupils.

I never considered the brain itself as a cause of crashes. Of course all driving is really done in the mind. Constantly assessing a moving traffic situation and updating calculations without really thinking about it is some feat. The brain undergoes significant changes between the ages of 17 and 24. It's the age where we are seeking attention from others and are more willing to take risks. I see it in my pupils sometimes, they just don't seem to be aware of risk let alone be able to manage it. Peer pressure is at it's highest during this period. Pupils who drive well on lessons can be very different in a car with mates as passengers encouraging them to drive faster.

The first part of the brain develops in infancy and governs things like balance and hand to eye coordination. The next stage of development governs friendship bonding and how we relate to others. Lastly, we have the driving brain developing and this governs things like attention which enables you to concentrate on the road. Hazard perception and risk assessment are essential for avoiding accidents and being able to navigate your way through complex situations. Working memory develops allowing you to remember the meanings of signs and markings or the route you take to get to your destination. Empathy and impulse control come into play which allows you to consider other drivers in your decisions and drive in a cooperative manner. We're all just trying to get from A to B after all. The driving brain doesn't fully develop until the age of 25 which goes some way to explaining why young drivers are at increased risk of getting involved in collisions. Client centered learning can help overcome these psychological obstacles and produce safer drivers after the test.

Fatigue is something I take seriously as a driving instructor. I can feel it myself some days, usually in the mid afternoon. I make sure I am aware of it and pay special attention until it passes, usually after half an hour. I can always tell when a pupil is tired, especially on the first lesson of the day. The driving is sluggish with poor use of controls and an increased number of mistakes being made. Most people need between 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night to function properly. I know I certainly need my sleep. The trouble is young people tend to stay up late looking at smartphones. The artificial light from the screen tells the brain to stay awake so you can't sleep even after putting the phone away. Sleep deprivation can lead to grogginess and an inability to solve problems as well as aggressive behaviour. Hardly the things you want when learning to drive.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious issue. Your sense of risk and your perception of moving vehicles as well as your reaction time being lengthened can all play a part in the cause of collisions. It's not just right after drinking alcohol that you are affected. You can still be impaired or even over the legal limit the morning after so you need to be careful. You may have to stand your ground if friends try to influence you to just have one drink telling you it will do no harm. I have had people turn up for lessons the morning after a party and their driving performance is well below what it usually is. Dehydration can cause the same impairment as drinking alcohol so make sure you take water with you, especially on longer journeys. Many pupils bring water to lessons with them and sometimes will pull over for a quick drink.

Inexperience is a big cause of collisions among younger drivers. Straight after your test you'll want to get in your car and get yourself mobile. The UK driving test only confirms you have met the minimum standard required to drive safely on the road. It doesn't mean you are a 'good' driver so you'll need to be careful and give yourself time to observe and think in busy traffic situations that you haven't encountered before. You may not have driven in the dark, on country roads or on motorways before your test. It's always worth getting a couple of extra lessons post-test if you feel unsure. Lastly, don't try to blame others for causing problems. It may be their fault but always look at your own driving first. Is there anything you could have done differently to avoid the incident? Always try to learn from even small mistakes and you'll be a better driver. So that's some of the reasons why people crash covered. That's good background knowledge when I'm giving value driving lessons Nottingham area. Have a nice day and stay safe out there on the road.