In the Driver’s Seat

The importance of driver education is to teach essential skills and techniques to prepare all drivers for the real road experience. Driver education has lowered both crashes and convictions across different states. Driver education focuses on crucial lessons of safety, awareness, skill development, and legal requirements to assist in reducing the number of death as a result of driving. Safety techniques expand the knowledge necessary to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. These techniques are normally called rules of the road. When rules are followed by all drivers we see lower deaths, injuries, and convictions for traffic violations. When the rules of the road are not obeyed, you are failing to comply with the legal requirements aligned with laws and regulations.

Driver Education provides hands-on training to gain experience and confidence behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. To ensure the safety of others all students must be aware of and understand the hazards and defensive techniques that should be used on a daily basis. Because we have students that fail to comply or utilize the skills from driver education, motor vehicle insurance is required to drive. Insurance benefits are utilized to cover the cost of accidents and legal issues resulting from bad driving behavior.

In an effort to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Insurance companies do incentivize drivers that have a good driving record as this considers them lower risk drivers. These types of programs also contribute to the reduction of deaths. Our local and state police officers create check points to inspect drivers during busy or holiday seasons to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Over the years we have seen an increase in traffic lights installed, changes in speed limits in residential areas, traffic surveillance cameras, and increase in traffic violation fees to help support the initiative to reduce deaths related to driving. I personally found these implementations a bit disturbing until I reviewed the data proving that these changes had a positive impact to our communities, state, and country.

I have never been in a car accident, but I have experienced my family members being impacted by very bad car accidents. I have witnessed a driver fail to stop at a stop sign that resulted in a collision into the oncoming traffic. This accident left the driver in with the right of way in a very bad condition. She was hospitalized because her car was forced into a stationed tree and pole that totaled out her vehicle and caused sever inquires. Unable to work for 6 months while recovering, medical bills and doctor appointments on a weekly basis, pain, and suffering, and now without a vehicle to drive after her recovery. This is an experience that I would never want to see anyone experience again.

The fear of not knowing if she would be ok or even recover from the injuries is a scary feeling for a family. But with assistance from other family members to help her navigate through life differently after the accident was very rewarding for our bond. My cousin faced many fears about driving on the road after her accident, but with some coaching and taking small trips she was able to overcome and is now doing well and started back to work to provide for her family.

Some steps that I am committed to take to become a better and safer driver is to stay alert and focused on the road, see something say something, follow all traffic laws, and practice safety. These things are important to me because they are what I can control. Staying alert and focused would mean that I would not utilize any mobile devices when driving to ensure I can focus on all traffic signals and other vehicles around me. If I see anyone driving irresponsibly, I am obligated to call and report it immediately. Maintaining a safe speed limit and following all rules of the road to the best of my ability. Ensuring the safety of myself and others while operating a motor vehicle is critical. I will wear my seat belt, remove anything that will impact my line of sight, confirm all vehicle passengers are safely strapped into their seats belts and utilize child safety lock when carrying small children. It is also important to have regular routine maintenance done on your vehicle, there are situations that are caused on our own because we have failed to replace old tires, making sure all signals and functions of the vehicle is up to code and working properly. Allowing enough travel time to reduce stress, prevent anxiety, and demonstrate curtesy toward other drivers. By following these actions I would be reducing the risk of deaths, becoming a better driver, and contributing to safer roads for all.