Driver’s Education Saves Lives

The importance of Driver’s Education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving cannot be overstated. Driver’s Education covers not only operating and identifying parts of a car that you will be responsible for controlling, but also learning signs, and what the mean. For example, yield, school crossing, pedestrian, or more importantly stopping for a school bus. Many of these things are not widely known and it is very important for teens to learn to identify signs and their meanings. I have read about so many deaths from drivers not stopping for the school buses that have their stop signs out. This has happened so many times and caused so many deaths, there is a law named after a little girl who was hit and killed as a result of a driver not stopping for a school bus that had it’s stop sign out. Also of equal importance, would be learning to obey traffic signs, driving in bad weather, not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol- even something as simple as allergy pills could cause impaired driving.

The hands-on part of Driver’s Ed is some of the most valuable training available. Brakes, gas, blinkers, emergency brake, seatbelts- all need to be learned in order to drive safely and avoid accidents or deaths. A vehicle is a several ton responsibility and learning to operate it safely is of utmost importance.

Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths by driving apply to drivers of all ages. The simplest rules are the most effective. Slow down, do not text and drive, pay attention to the road, obey all signs. Most importantly, be a defensive driver, meaning be aware of your surroundings and what other drivers are doing at all times. Many accidents are a result of another driver making bad decisions, running a red light, texting, fiddling with the radio.

When I was in middle school, there was a 15-year-old girl named Natalia Saucedo that died in a horrific car accident. The driver, who did not even have her legal license, just a permit, was distracted by the radio or phone, and they crashed into a tree on a curve in my hometown Gilroy Ca. Natalie is the only one who died. The rescue crew had to use the jaws of life but it was too late. Her father was a fire captain and her mother worked at the high school. They use that experience to teach about the dangers of distracted driving, created the Natalia Saucedo foundation, and Natalie is still talked about to this day. I did not know her, but her name and story has stuck with me for all of these years. She would have been 22 this May. She died about a week before her 16^th birthday. Her mother said that she heard the front door close at Natalia’s curfew that fateful night and may believe that it was Natalia’s spirit that came to tell her mom a final goodbye.

My father was an EMT for 23 years and they held an “Every 15 Minutes” event every year to teach high schoolers about the dangers of drunk driving. They would bring in an actual vehicle that had been in an accident, one of them would dress up as the grim reaper and point to students showing the number of deaths that occur from teen drunk driving every 15 minutes. Teens are very visual, and I think that the vehicle and the grim reaper were really effective in getting their attention and making them think about consequences of bad decisions.

I can take the same steps as any responsible driver in order to become a better and safe driver as well as help other drivers be safer. Be considerate, driving is not a race, it is ok to allow others in front of you if the situation is safe. Drive the speed limit, or slower if the road or weather conditions are not good. Be aware of your surroundings. Follow the traffic rules. Stay focused- do not use your phone while driving. Do not drink and drive or do drugs and drive. Do not get into a car with someone who has consumed alcohol or drugs. Read the labels of common medicines to see if they cause drowsiness or increase the risk of impaired driving. Do not drive if you are overtired. Common courtesy and basic knowledge can go a long way in keeping myself , and others-drivers or pedestrians- safe on the roads.