The term “driver” first originated in the 15th century, referring to the occupation of driving working animals like pack or draft horses.
It later applied to electric railway drivers in 1889 and motor-car drivers in 1896.
The world’s first long-distance trip by automobile occurred in 1888 when a Benz Patent-Motorwagen was driven from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany.
Driving requires both physical and mental skills, as well as an understanding of the rules of the road.
This evolution of the skills required to drive has been accompanied by the introduction of driving laws which relate to not only the driver but the drivability of a car.
In most countries, drivers must pass practical and theoretical driving tests to obtain a drivers license.
Physical skills required include proper hand placement, gear shifting, pedal operation, steering, braking and operation of ancillary devices.
Mental skills involve hazard awareness, decisions making, evasive maneuvering and understanding of vehicle dynamics.
Safety concerns when it comes to driving include poor road conditions, low visibility, texting or phone use while driving, speeding, impaired driving, sleep-deprived driving and reckless driving.
Most countries have laws against driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs. Some countries impose annual renewals or point systems for driver’s licenses to maintain road safety.
The World Health Organization, or WHO, estimates 1.35 million people are killed annually in road traffic. At this time it is still the leading cause of death for people age 5 to 29 years old.
An effective driver also has an intuitive understanding of the basics of vehicle handling and can drive responsibly.
Distractions can compromise a driver’s mental skills, as can any altered state of consciousness.
One recent study on the use of mobile phones and driving safety found that drivers talking on a phone exhibited greater impairment than drivers who were suffering from alcohol intoxication.
During daylight hours in the United States, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving.
Seizure disorders and Alzheimer’s disease are among the leading medical causes of mental impairment among drivers in both the United States and Europe.
There is a high rate of injury and death caused by motor vehicle accidents that involve teenagers.
Drivers may be required to take lessons with an approved driving instructor and usually need to pass a driving test before being granted a driving license.
Almost all countries allow all adults with good vision and health to apply to take a driving test and, if successful, to drive on public roads.
It is possible for a driver to be suspended or disqualified from driving, either for a short time or permanently.
This is usually in response to a serious traffic offense, repeated minor traffic offences or a specific medical condition which prevents driving safely.
Some areas even ban driving on certain days for vehicles with specific license plate configurations. In Oman, women were not allowed to drive until 1970.
In Saudi Arabia, women were not issued driving licenses until 2018.
