Education is the Key to Curb Road Rage in San Antonio, Says Researcher

Education is the Key to Curb Road Rage in San Antonio, Says Researcher

San Antonio, TX – Road rage is an escalating problem in the fast-growing Texan city of San Antonio. The solution, according to Dr. Yufang Jin, a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), may lie in the hands of the next generation. In collaboration with the Community Alliance of Traffic Safety (CATS), Jin is utilizing technology and youth engagement to combat this age-old issue.

The Worsening Road Rage Problem

Road rage is a pressing issue that’s only growing in severity in the sprawling metropolis. San Antonio, much like the rest of the nation, has experienced an undeniable uptick in aggressive driving incidents, which, in the worst instances, have led to violence and fatal accidents. According to CATS, road rage in San Antonio is seeing an upward trend.

“People are angry, and people are frustrated,” Dean DeSoto, the executive director of CATS, said. But DeSoto and his team are hopeful that the alarming trend can be reversed with the right solutions, starting with education and training for young drivers.

Empowering Youth to Drive Change

The youth, classified as future society’s lynchpins, are targeted towards an intensive educational program spearheaded by Dr. Jin. Keeping this in mind, Jin is running various projects that aim to promote safe driving habits amongst them.

One of the highlighted initiatives is a group of high school students aptly called the Technowizards. The Technowizards are participating in national robotics competitions and using artificial intelligence to develop self-driving cars, which Jin believes could decrease speeding and tailgating incidents significantly.

Gaming the System for Safer Roads

In an innovative approach, Jin’s team is also creating a driving simulator designed like a video game. This real-world impact project rewards players with higher scores for demonstrating better driving practices like obeying traffic lights, adhering to speed limits, and stopping at signs.

UTSA senior Omar Alsamman, who is part of the design team, speaks about the simulator’s benefits, stating, “It’s not just an entertaining game but a practical tool for practicing traffic lights, driving rules, and stop signs” he said.

These programs are in their early stages. However, researchers see this as an opportunity to change Texas’ driving habits definitely, leveraging technology and youth engagement. While there is much work to be done, the combination of education, innovation, and empowerment shows promise for safer Texas streets in the future.

About the Authors

Avery Everett, a Philadelphia native, is a news reporter and multimedia journalist passionate about hiking, biking, and culinary adventures. Having joined the team in 2021, she expects to eat her way through San Antonio, exploring everything from churro spots to taco trucks.

Gavin Nesbitt, an award-winning photojournalist and video editor, also joined the team in 2021. His portfolio of accolades includes a Lone Star Emmy, a Regional Murrow, and a Texas Broadcast News Award for his coverage of the deadly Uvalde, Texas school shooting.