The Necessity of Drivers Education

Driving. It’s what all teens look forward to when entering high school. As soon one enters high school, they start to research cars. So many questions pop up in their head. What color is it going to be. What brand is it going to be. Is it going to be a truck, car, or SUV? You get really excited thinking about driving your friends around town and going here and there. You don’t have to ask mom to bring you practice or catch a ride after school. No more big yellow buses, that are jammed packed with kids. That anticipation you get just thinking about when your parents are finally going to get you a car is amazing. But are you really ready to be on the road? Have you educated yourself on responsible and defensive driving? Are you aware of the number of deaths per year due to irresponsible drivers? Drivers’ education is essential to all drivers on the road, especially new ones. Being aware of the importance of driver’s education is beneficial to your safety and others safety.

Drivers’ education is a course that you can take online or in person to increase your knowledge of driving safety. Some areas provide hands on driving classes with an instructor in the car to help you get the proper experience and education from a professional. To start your new journey in drivers’ education, you first need to take and online or in person course to learn to rules of the road, shocking statistics, defensive driving, and much more. After you have taken that course, you can take a test to get your permit. This allows you to legally practice behind the wheel with an adult who has a license. Then, after a certain amount of time practicing behind the wheel, depending on your state, region, or country, you can take an in car driving test to get your license.

Drivers’ education is vital to reducing the numbers of deaths caused by irresponsible driving. There are many rules of the road to keep people safe and unharmed while in the car. Who goes first at a four way stop. When to yield on a turn. When to stop and wait for pedestrians to cross. Driving programs and courses makes new coming drivers aware of their surroundings, teaches them what not to do in a car, and explains and demonstrates defensive driving strategies to keep yourself and others safe and out of harm’s way. Being able to drive a vehicle from point-to-point is not the only component to driving. Unfortunately, many people think so. This ignorance causes many driving related deaths all across the world. To reduce the number of deaths that are related to driving parents, teachers, and adult figures can sit down with kids in high school and teach them about the dangers of driving and the importance of driver’s education. At my high school every year we always had a speaker come in a talk to students about safe driving. Whether it was a teacher, staff member, or someone who has had a personal experience. The most memorable moment was my senior year. A father of one of the teens that when to my school came in and told a devastating but life learning story before prom night. One night his son went out with some friends and spent the night with them. Of course, his father told him to stay inside after a certain time, and his son reassured him. But his son ended up getting in the car and going out to eat late at night. He got in the backseat without a seatbelt. Unfortunately, no one knew the driver was intoxicated. They ended up crashing at a dangerously high speed. Everyone but his son ended up surviving because they were wearing a seatbelt. Driving safety requires you to know when it’s safe to get into someone else car also. Driving intoxicated, speeding, and wearing a seatbelt are all some of the many topics driver’s education covers. Yes, crashes are a very touchy subject but it’s extremely imperative to know the rates to ensure you are ready for the road. When being taught about drivers’ safety, teens need to truly pay attention. Be active in your drivers courses, review your work and notes on the course, and continue to practice as much as possible. Being familiar with parts of the vehicle and road will ensure your safety and other peoples wellbeing.

I have been in car accidents while others were driving. Due to drivers not paying attention on the road, I have been rear ended. The driver behind me was on their phone, while also speeding, and hit the back of my dad’s truck. It was not a great experience. Luckily everyone on both sides were okay, but we did need to go get checked out at the hospital. We left with some pain and soreness but no major injuries. Many people around me in high school have been in car accidents due to them texting and driving, looking down at a phone, or trying to multitask while driving. When on the road your only focus should be the road.

To be a better and safer driver on the road, I will continue to stay focused on the road. I will continue to engage in defensive driving. I will take all the precautions necessary to keep myself and others safe on the road. Getting myself settled in my car before I pull out the driveway is one one of the most important things I can do for myself to stay safe on the road. Reminding others to practice the same skills and habits I use to be a great driver on the road, is a way I can helps others. Teaching and helping new drivers like my little sibling and younger cousin are also ways I can help others stay safe on the road. They are both being introduced to the driving world currently. I have encouraged them to take courses and take them seriously to keep them safe.

Drivers’ education is an important component to driver’s safety. It is way to protect yourself and others while out on the road. It is necessary to reduce the high rates of death caused by driving accidents. Driver’s education is beneficial to all drivers, especially newcomers. It should be something that everyone takes seriously, actively listens to, and repeatedly practices to ensure everyone’s safety on the road.