The Importance of Driver Education

Driver’s education is a crucial component of learning to be a successful driver. Not only does the student have a professional driving educator helping him/her to learn the rules of the road, the statistics confirm that drivers who have had driving education tend to be involved in less fatal accidents. According to University of Nebraska study, 2.1 percent of the driver’s education group was involved in an accident that caused injury or death, compared to 2.6 percent of those who did not take driver’s education.

This demonstrates that driver education produces safer drivers. Driver education instills confidence in new drivers as they spend many hours with the instructor learning and receiving feedback on how to improve. Driver education stressed the importance of defensive driving, and how to always be aware of your surroundings. All of these skills that one learns in the process of driving education adds to the driving toolbox for the student.

Many actions can be taken to reduce the number of deaths while driving. Most people would mention texting and driving as the number one distraction. While I do agree that texting and driving is an issue, many people hear about that all the time. I would also like to add to the discussion that eating/drinking, singing to the radio, and even talking to your friends in the car are all also equally distracting. In my state of Kentucky, there is a rule once you pass your road test that you can only have one passenger who is a non-family member in your car for at least 6 months. Implementing simple restrictions for the 6 months so that drivers can become acclimated to the road assists in reducing the number of fatal crashes. According to the CDC, they recommend as few young passengers as possible to reduce the number of distractions.

Parents can also assist in reducing the number of teen deaths by riding with their teens often and providing constructive feedback. Parents must also practice good driving rules themselves to set a good example by wearing seatbelts, and not using the phone for scrolling in the car. These examples can be set long before a teen is driving, so that when they do finally get behind the wheel, those good habits are engrained in the child.

I have seen many of my teen friends driving irresponsibly. My best friend was in a very serious car accident in March of 2023. The conditions were set for a disaster. It had been raining, and he was driving down a very curvy road. He is a know speed demon in the car, and all the factors combined were a recipe for an accident. He sped around a sharp bend, and lost control of his car. He spun out and hit another vehicle, before finally coming to a stop. His car was decimated, and if any passengers had been in that car, they would have surely been killed. I had just gotten my license in February, and it really frightened me into being the safest driver that I can be. He is very lucky to be alive and has learned from his ways.

Every driver has opportunities to learn and improve their driving. I am a lover of music, and love to belt in the car. While this usually is not an issue for me, I do understand how it can sometimes take away my full attention from the road. I know that good driving habits are built over time, and I am constantly looking to work on my own skills. I also help my friends with their driving skills to ensure they are being as safe as possible. I do still have some friends who have a propensity for speeding, and I always say how dangerous that it as it becomes hard to manage the vehicle at high speeds.

I would also like to note that new drivers cannot rely solely on the new technology of the newer cars today. Drivers should learn how to drive the vehicle based on his/her knowledge and experience, and not the offerings of technology. While modern technology is wonderful, I have seen many drivers relying on lane change sensors to know if someone is in their blind spot. Drivers must trust his/her own instincts to be a safe and successful driver. I have experienced many newer drivers attempting to rely on the new technology versus knowing the rules of the road.

In conclusion, driver education should be a requirement for all new teen drivers. The skills and experiences that one gains from driver education aid in him/her becoming a more successful driver. It’s a big responsibility, and while it’s easy to get caught in the freedom and independence, it’s important to remember that your life and other’s lives are at risk so one must use the utmost of caution.