The thought of driving generally conjures up excitement or fear among those who are unable to do so. However, James Taylor, Manager of the Jamaica Automobile Association’s (JAA) Driving Academy says individuals, whether young or old, should not fear learning how to drive because of the benefits that can come from acquiring the skill. In fact, he believes that acquiring this skill should be embraced and not feared.
He outlines five benefits of driving.
- Driving develops the brain
When you drive, you are engaging in multiple actions because you are engaging your senses. You are using your hands, feet, eyes and ears while your brain is constantly making calculations,” explained Mr Taylor. “When you do all these tasks you are developing what is called neuroplasticity, which, simply put, is your brain’s ability to absorb information and evolve to manage new challenges.”
“Basic driving involves coordinating your hands and feet to simultaneously steer and work the pedals. Add to that listening to music, watching other cars, or following navigation instructions and your brain is being trained to process large amounts of information at once. When you learn new routes and what the various signs mean, you also improve your memory and your ability to interpret and retain visual information. In fact, Yale University, in citing a study of trainee taxi drivers, found that learning the streets of London resulted in memory development and higher cognitive functions including spatial memory. So, this is definitely one of the long-term benefits of driving,” he pointed out.
- You are learning a skill
“Driving is a good skill to have. Once you attend a reputable institution, such as the JAA Driving Academy, you will learn how to navigate the road and the rules of the road. As a skill, driving also allows you to remember routes, learn about motor vehicles and you can always improve by enrolling in an advance driver training course if you need to develop your skills further in areas like defensive driving and driving under certain conditions,” Mr Taylore says.
- Improving your career choices
“There are instances where your job requires you to have a valid driver’s licence and a reliable motor vehicle, which means you have the opportunity to earn extra. In addition, many companies prefer to hire people who are licenced drivers, in case they need to meet a client or carry out a task that requires a journey out of town suddenly. Being able to drive will put you in good stead for jobs like these.”
- Driving offers independence and security
“Driving fosters a sense of responsibility and independence from having to rely on others to take you around or use public transport,” stated Mr Taylor. In addition, having a private car can also provide a stronger sense of security for those who have to travel at night or on isolated routes.
- Convenience
“People learn how to drive because it presents them with an opportunity to be mobile in the future, which will lessen their dependence on public transport or others who have vehicles. After a long day at work, instead of waiting for public transport in the cold and rain, you can simply hop into your car and be on your way home,” Mr Taylor says.
“Daily commutes aside, driving makes it more convenient for you to make quick trips, transport bulky grocery bags and take your children or family to their destinations without the hassle of waiting on public transport. None of this would be possible if you did not know how to drive. This is why I encourage persons to learn this skill because of the benefits that it has,” he adds.
