The Importance of Driver’s Eductation

• What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving? Teaches people responsible driving, enhances awareness & safety and the law. Studies show that those that took driver’s education significantly reduces the amount of accidents and tickets. It equips the driver with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the roads safely. Driver’s education also teaches better driving techniques & sharing the road with other driver’s, pedestrians and motorcyclists. Some young drivers can be over confident, which can lead to reckless driving and attending driver’s ed can educate them about the risks and consequences of reckless driving and help increase road safety. Sometimes the devastating videos of drunk driving accidents can show the devastation and be a deterrent to not get behind the wheel while under the influence. Drivers’ education is beneficial & also required for those that may have violated the law such as DUI’s or excessive amount of tickets for them to get their license back.

• What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving? Wear your seat belt at all times, don’t drink & drive or be under the influence or impaired by drugs or ride with someone who has been drinking or let someone who has been drinking drive. Follow the speed limit & obey traffic laws. Always be aware of your surroundings. Always consider road conditions (wet pavement, ice, snow, etc….) Do not use or look at your phone while driving. Remember to have good time management & leave with plenty of time to get to your destination, don’t speed because you are late. Arrive alive. Protect pedestrians & allow them to cross at crosswalks. I also think that after a certain age (elderly) people should have to retake their driving exam because I think there are a lot of elderly people that are driving that should not be behind the wheel. I had a Great Aunt that still had her license, yet she should not have been driving and it was scary every time she got in the car.

• Have you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly? I have not personally been in an accident but had one of my fellow classmates that was killed in an accident a couple of years ago right before I got my license, and it was a traumatic experience for myself & for my parents. Not only did I lose a really good friend but my parents then had that added insecurity about me getting my license just a few months later. I have also had a family bar-b-que at the house & witnessed an elderly lady under the influence hit a tree just down the road from our house and when several of us went to her aid, she was incoherent and in need of medical attention. We called ambulance & the police also came as well. Her car was in bad shape, she had a dog in the back of the car who was aggressive, I’m sure from the accident and in shock, we could see a liquor bottle on the passenger seat. An ambulance came & took her to the hospital & towed her vehicle. I’m not sure what happened to the lady, she was not from our neighborhood, but I sure hope she was ok & hope this was a wakeup call for her to not drink & drive.

• What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road? Check road conditions before taking a trip, follow traffic laws, take a defensive driving course, use car safety apps, always wear your seat belt, never drive impaired, drive more, no better way to become a better drive than to practice. Make sure your seat is siting in the appropriate distance from the steering wheel, make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted. Make sure you are alert, being tired or unhealthy can affect how you drive. Focus on driving and your surroundings, not the phone, radio or trying to multitask. Get acquainted with the car your driving, if you are not used to the car then learn its features before taking off. Do a quick safety check, make sure there is plenty of gas, the tires are all aired up, etc…. Make sure the distance between you & the car in front of you are at the appropriate distance. Make sure you have adequate insurance required by law.