Teaching More than Skills

For much of our country driving is a tedious, daily necessity, but it is also a rite of passage – often into adulthood, but always into a more free, more mobile, more independent life. Like most privileges, driving comes with a cost. It’s a tremendous responsibility that has inherent risks – risks that become more dire when caution and care are not taken. Driver education helps to mitigate those risks, and quite simply, saves lives.

The statistics are sobering. On average, some 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving, many in accidents that are preventable. It’s a heartbreaking reality that has left politicians and activists at odds, scrambling for answers and solutions. But one place where they seem to find common ground is the need for effective driver education.

The significance of driver education cannot be understated. It’s more than a means to an end. Yes, it helps you get your driver’s license, and all the privileges that come with it, but it also equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to safely navigate our complex roads. The best driver education courses don’t just teach you how to parallel park or perfect a three-point turn; they also teach the importance of respecting traffic rules and regulations, understanding the consequences of reckless driving, and developing the right mindset for responsible driving.

But does everyone have access to the best driver education courses? Is there even agreement as to what should be taught in driver education courses? I believe that one way we might be able to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to standardize driver education classes. Whether you are taught in high school, by a parent, or through a private school, what you learn and how you learn may be vastly different. Classes cannot be viewed as a mere formality with a single goal in mind – to pass the road test. We need more comprehensive and rigorous programs that go beyond basic skills. The same way our academic schooling has transformed to teach the “whole child,” I believe that driver education should consider the “whole driver,” and address the roller coaster of emotions we so often feel while driving.

We so often hear the term “road rage,” and see violent scenes played out on social media. But can’t the opposite of that be considered in driver education classes? Can’t we also teach a culture of responsibility and empathy on the road? It’s not just about knowing how to operate a vehicle; it’s about a mutual respect for everyone sharing the road with you. Young drivers, in particular, need to understand that selfish, reckless actions behind the wheel can have devastating, life-altering effects on themselves, their families, and their innocent victims.

But it’s not just about a driver’s personal responsibility; I also feel that driver education courses can help us become more proactive passengers, friends, or family members. Luckily, I have not been in any kind of car accident myself, but I’ve unfortunately seen friends make poor choices while driving. Confronting them was not easy, but it had to be done. If you see someone about to drive under the influence, don’t let them. Offer an alternative, schedule an Uber or Lyft, or arrange for a sober driver. If you have friends who speed or engage in risky driving behaviors like texting or using a phone while driving, don’t be a passive bystander. Encourage them to be safer on the road and remind them just how catastrophic their actions could be. A simple conversation, however uncomfortable, might save a life.

In the end, driver education courses are integral in reducing the number of deaths related to driving and improving road safety. But there is room for improvement. To make our roads safer, we need more comprehensive and standardized driver education programs that consider not only the technical skills of the driver, but their emotional state as well. And that lesson can be taken further, and extended to passengers, friends, and family members who can be taught how to play an active role in promoting road safety.

Safer roads are a collective effort – a shared responsibility. We can’t rely solely on traffic rules and regulations, law enforcement, or even driver education to make our roads safer. It starts with us – the drivers – and the personal responsibility each one of us must take when we get behind the wheel. Responsible driving is not just about reaching our destination; it’s about ensuring that we, and those we encounter along the way, get there safely.