Editing Driving (section)

{{Short description|Operation of a vehicle}}
{{Other uses|Driving (disambiguation)||Drive (disambiguation)||Driver (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Convertible Mercedes Car Driving On A Highway.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Driving a [[convertible]]]]
[[File:Thủ tướng Malaysia trải nghiệm lái xe Vinfast Lux SA2.0 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Malaysian Prime Minister]] [[Mahathir Mohamad]] driving a car in [[Vietnam]]]]
'''Driving''' is the controlled operation and movement of a [[land vehicle]], including [[car]]s, [[motorcycle]]s, [[truck]]s, and [[bus]]es. A driver's permission to drive on public [[highway]]s is granted based on a set of conditions being met, and drivers are required to follow the established [[Traffic code|road and traffic laws]] in the location they are driving. The word "driving" has etymology dating back to the 15th century. Its meaning has changed from primarily driving [[working animals]] in the 15th century to automobiles in the 1800s. Driving skills have also developed since the 15th century, with physical, mental and safety skills being required to drive. This evolution of the skills required to drive have been accompanied by the introduction of driving laws which relate not only to the driver but also to the driveability of a car.
 
The term "driver" originated in the 15th century, referring to the occupation of driving working animals such as 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 road trip by automobile was in 1888, when [[Bertha Benz]] drove a [[Benz Patent-Motorwagen]] from [[Mannheim]] to [[Pforzheim]], Germany. Driving requires both physical and mental skills, as well as an understanding of the rules of the road.

In many countries, drivers must pass practical and theoretical driving tests to obtain a driving license. Physical skills required for driving include proper hand placement, gear shifting, pedal operation, [[steering]], [[braking]], and operation of [[ancillary]] devices. Mental skills involve hazard awareness, decision-making, evasive maneuvering, and understanding [[vehicle dynamics]]. [[Distractions]], [[altered states of consciousness]], and certain medical conditions can impair a driver's mental skills.

Safety concerns in driving include poor road conditions, low visibility, [[texting while driving]], [[speeding]], [[impaired driving]], [[sleep-deprived driving]], and [[reckless driving]]. Laws regarding driving, [[driver licensing]], and [[vehicle registration]] vary between jurisdictions. Most countries have laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Some countries impose annual renewals or point systems for driver's licenses to maintain road safety.

The [[World Health Organization]] estimates that 1.35 million people are killed each year in road traffic; it is the leading cause of death for people aged 5 to 29.<ref name=WHO2018>{{cite report|author=World Health Organization|title=
Global status report on road safety 2018|url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565684|year=2018}}</ref>