Interurban road with a single lane in each direction without separation between them: this is the definition of Secondary or conventional road. Places where seven out of ten people lose their lives due to a traffic accident: reason why the National Confederation of Driving Schools (CNAE) has suggested to the DGTreinforce the preparation of future drivers. The objective? Learn to drive (well) in these scenarios.
The General Directorate of Traffic is aware that the more serious accidents They happen on conventional roads. Recently, he disclosed the five measures that have been implemented to reduce the accident rate on these roads. They are solutions that do not imply substantial modifications to the infrastructure: they adapt certain elements or adapt their appearance.
The DGT assures that the effectiveness Of these solutions (aimed at minimizing damage or avoiding accidents at intersections, overtaking or going off the road) has been proven:
- Protection of ditch steps: reduce the accident rate by 70%
- smart crossings, that detect and warn of the proximity of a vehicle at dangerous junctions: 50%
- separation of the senses circulation: 38-40%
- Pigmented flooring: 35%
- sound guides (both in the median to separate lanes and on the shoulders) that prevent exits from the road or invasions of the opposite lane: 18-21%
Do you know the 5 most effective measures to try to reduce the accident rate in #TrasConvencionales?
✅Smart crossings✅Painted pavement✅Separation of senses✅Ditch safety devices✅Sound guides
More info 👉https://t.co/oe95GiQ2ylpic.twitter.com/E0CGnYliSz
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) November 6, 2022
The request of the driving schools
The National Confederation of Driving Schools (CNAE) does not doubt the effectiveness of these measures, but it does miss an express mention of driving education. Therefore, he wanted to present a proposal focused on this point: requests a training, compulsory and verifiable by the examiner, for students who are getting their driver’s license in places where it is difficult or, materially, impossible to access secondary roads during the driving test.
In this way, it would be possible certify that the applicant is fully capable of driving on secondary roads. For Enrique Lorca, president of the CNAE, “no one should obtain a driving license without knowing how to drive on the most demanding roads from the point of view of road safety. It is a mistake that can have serious consequences.”
The consequences
From the CNAE they are aware that it is not always possible to teach classes in all the scenarios that, in the future, the aspiring driver will find: “There are towns where they cannot drive in the practical test on any secondary road, with which are not properly prepared to travel safely on roads of this type.
And you point out the consequences that this can have on their driving when they obtain their corresponding license: “If the test is going to take place only through a town or, at most, along some section of highway, it is normal for the student to show reluctant to drive on a conventional road because he considers it a waste of time.
