Driver Safety Essay

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRIVER EDUCATION

Driver education is extremely important in reducing accidents, especially for younger drivers. According to AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 account for more than 52% of all motor vehicle accidents, and divers between the ages of 16 and 19 have the second highest rate of fatal crashes, at 3.75 per million per 100 million miles driven for 16-17 year olds, and 2.47 per 100 million miles driven for 18-19 year olds. Only drivers over the age of 80, due to aging and slower reaction time, have a higher rate of fatal accidents (3.85 per 100 million miles driven), even though that group has a lower rate of accident total (432 per 100 million miles driven versus 1432 per 100 million miles driven for 16-17 year olds).¹

It’s critical that young people like myself receive driver education prior to getting licensed. According to Duane Shell and Ian Newman of the Nebraska Prevention Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, drivers who have not completed driver education are 16% more likely to get into an accident, and 24 more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.² Being properly instructed on how to drive safely is statistically shown to reduce accidents.

There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce driving deaths in the United States. The first, as discussed above, is to make sure that young people get a proper driver education prior to getting licensed. Many states have this requirement, and it should go nationwide so that teenagers know how to drive safely and can take those skills into adulthood. In addition, state policies can be put in place that help new drivers gain more skill before they are given the run of the road. In my state of Tennessee, a person can’t get a full license at 16 and be free to do whatever. I had to first get an Intermediate Restricted License when I was 16, which included restrictions like not having more than one passenger in the car and not driving between 10pm and 6am unless I was going to and from work. I am not able to get an unrestricted drivers license until I’m 18 and have a proven track record of being able to drive safely by having no accidents or traffic violations.³

Further steps to reduce driver deaths can come from policies surrounding police presence on the roads, such as pulling over anyone going above the speed limit rather than giving a cushion, and positioning officers outside of known drinking establishments so that they can stop drunk drivers before they get too far down the road and hurt someone (or themselves).

Although I have not personally been in a car accident, I came close to being in one two years ago. My mom was driving my sister and I to school when a driver on the other side of the road came around a curve and crossed the double yellow line, swerving into our lane. My mom quickly pulled onto the side of the road and almost hit a mailbox. The car that almost hit us didn’t even stop to see if we were okay, and my mom explained to me that she’d have rather hit a mailbox than had a head on collision. Had we collided, then both our car and the driver who crossed the line would’ve likely spun out, and who knows what would’ve happened. The entire incident could’ve been avoided if the driver in the other lane had either been going the speed limit – it’s 35 mph on that two-lane, curvy road – and/or slowed down as they approached that sharp curve. It really reinforced to me the importance of being aware of the curves in the road and where other drivers are.

I’ve already begun taking steps to make sure I’m a good driver. To me, that begins before I even start the car. Every week, my dad and I check the fluid levels in my car, making sure that I have enough oil, enough coolant, and my brake fluid is good. Before every drive, as I start the car, I check and adjust every mirror and make sure I have a clean line of sight. I also don’t drive if I feel anything wrong with my car since anything mechanical could impact my performance on the road. Finally, while I’m on the road, I’m a defensive driver, always making sure I have enough space between cars, checking how rough the road is and how tight the curves are, and signaling when I turn. I try to help other drivers my giving that space (ie, not tailgating), paying attention at intersections so everyone knows who is supposed to go first, and not shining my bright lights when other cars are on the road so I don’t hurt their vision as they drive.

In conclusion, driver education is an important part of reducing traffic accidents and deaths since it gives a good foundation for drivers before they use their cars. We can reduce driver deaths by requiring this education, restricting teenage driving until they’re more ready to handle the full rigors of the road, and having police be ready at known locations of danger so we can stop dangers in advance. My own experience at nearly getting in a bad accident when I was 15 has made me aware of being a better driver through preparation and awareness, as well as helping other drivers be more aware when I can.