You might be a great driver, but not everyone is. It would be wonderful if driving well meant that you were immune to accidents on the road, but that’s just not the case. Often times, other drivers are the most dangerous part about driving. It’s important that you drive safely – signal, go the speed limit, wear your seatbelt, etc. – but it's also important to keep an eye on the drivers that are around you.
In fact, being aware of other drivers is crucial to being a good driver. It doesn't matter that you have the right of way if the other driver isn't paying attention. Sometimes it's better to forfeit the right of way to avoid an accident.
The unpredictability of drivers is one of the biggest obstacles for Google’s Self-Driving Car. Mapping roads, factoring speed limits, and obeying traffic laws are the easy parts. Thanks to a bevy of sensors, Google basically created the perfect driver. Self-driving cars would be on highways across the U.S. if it were easier to guarantee that people wouldn’t be driving into them. Right now there are only five states that allow autonomous cars.
So what hope do we have if specifically programmed driving machines aren't even safe? Well, the truth is that roads can be dangerous. There have been over 30,000 traffic related deaths in the U.S. since 1946. By driving safely, paying attention to the road, and paying attention to other drivers, you can decrease your chances of getting into an accident.
Watch to see if other drivers are being as safe and attentive as you are being. If someone is speeding up behind you, wait to change lanes. If they are swerving or driving maniacally, stay back and keep your distance. If it appears as though they might cause harm to themselves or to others, it could be a good idea to notify the police.
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