The Importance of a Drivers Education

Driving has changed exponentially over the years. We started with driving horse-drawn carriages and are now driving electric vehicles that can operate on their own. That being said, car-related deaths are an alarmingly increasing trend.

A thorough driver education is crucial in reducing the number of car-related deaths each year. Most drivers have now gotten comfortable with factors like road rage, not understanding road rules, and driving in unsafe conditions as part of the “normal” driving experience. Road rage is seen as a natural and accepted part of driving rather than as bad behavior that is dangerous to you and other drivers. Young drivers, in particular, do not make the best decisions when faced with peer pressure, stress, and the dangerous act of driving. They can end up in unsafe driving circumstances, such as when driving under the influence, or driving with passengers who distract them. A proper driver’s education can teach you about the importance of driving in your life while still being safe behind the wheel. When I took my driver’s education course, I saw driving as a whole other experience rather than just observing. I got my G1 on my 16th birthday and did an eight-month course, which included 30 hours online and 10 hours with a driving instructor. I then completed my G2 test one week after the eight months and succeeded on the first try. I want to credit my passing of the G2 test to the incredible education that I acquired while doing the course. The course taught me how to avoid unsafe driving circumstances and how to handle my emotions both in and out of driving.

Aside from a driver’s education your friends and family can have a big impact on the safety of your driving. Bad habits from family members who unconsciously pass them down to you can be a crucial factor in an unsafe driving experience. To reduce the number of deaths, you need to consider many aspects of your surroundings. This includes the weather, car quality, and road signs. The weather conditions when driving can’t be controlled by anyone, this means it should be a universal skill to navigate the challenges of weather. When it’s raining or snowing, make sure to drive extremely carefully because of the disconnect the water produces between the tires and the road. This makes it difficult to control the car if it spirals and makes the brakes less effective. The quality of brakes should be checked no matter whether you drive in. If you think your brake pads are wearing down and becoming less effective, get them changed right away. If you hear screeching sounds or odd noises when braking, go to a mechanic to get them checked out. If your brakes do fail in an accident, remember that you always have your parking brake. Though it’s not meant for constant or continual use, it could be the difference between saving someone’s life or not. If you come across unknown road signs, possibly when travelling or you are just not sure, safely pull over and look it up. If you’re unable to pull over, get one of your passengers to look up what it means. If you are alone, stay calm, and put your hazards on and pullover when safe.

I’ve never been in an accident. However, some of my family members are still suffering from injuries they got during car accidents. Thankfully, none of my family members faced fatalities. My aunt was in an accident ten years ago, and her knee is still injured. She was driving around Kitchener, Ontario, when a driver under the influence of alcohol swerved and hit her car. She couldn’t drive for years because of the trauma and fear she acquired from the accident. Her knee is still injured, and she continues to have overly precocious driving tendencies, which isn’t safe either.

Basic skills needed to build on or necessary to be a safe driver include being level-headed, quick and calm to reach, and a basic knowledge of how the car you are driving functions. Being able to keep a level head when driving keeps other drivers and yourself safe. Being explosively angry and using the horn can frighten other drivers and possibly result in them creating an accident. Having the ability to quickly process and think about how your actions and reactions could affect other drivers. For example, a driver turns right on a red light, and you go straight through. Having the ability to clearly think through what could happen and brake safely in time for both drivers and the cars behind you to stay safe could make the situation more manageable than someone with a slower reaction time and lay on the horn instead, thinking that because they have the right of way means other drivers always need to adapt to them. Having a safe car when driving helps you attain and build on all the skills you need to be a safe and effective driver. An example would be knowing when to change the oil and your brakes as well as your winter tires. Having the right type of tiers makes the difference in traction. Winter tires will have more traction on ice and snow. Summer tires will be more effective during the hot months griping to the road. All-season tires are effective at both but not as effective as the respective seasonal tires.

Having the ability to think clearly and react conclusively can contribute to decreasing the amount of fatalities on the road. A driver’s education is a crucial way to increase your chances of actively avoiding crashes and keeping yourself and other drivers safe.