Drivers Education: Saving Lives One Student at a Time.

Cars. What does that mean to us? For some, it’s a fun kids movie, and for others, highschool freedom. Unfortunately there are many people who don’t think of cars in this way, for many, it is a horrible memory, or a day when everything changed. Thousands of fatal motor accidents happen in the United States each year, and the majority of them are preventable. All it takes is a little education.

Driver education is by far one of the easiest ways to reduce the number of motor vehicle collisions. Simply learning the rules of the road and ensuring drivers understand them fully is a great way to reduce the number of accidents on the roads. At times drivers seem to get confused on certain driving topics such as 4-way stops and the occasional yield in intersections which can cause an accident. Driving education can also show us how to pay attention to certain signs on the road. For example, we have all been in a situation where a lane is ending abruptly and you have to make sure you are in the correct lane, but we have also had to pay extra attention to those people that maybe did not see the sign or did not understand. They are coming into your lane whether you are prepared or not.

Driver education is also super important when it comes to knowing laws. There are so many and they can be difficult to remember. I am not particularly proud to admit that I had an issue when I had my permit due to not knowing a law existed. When I was driving on the highway one day there was a law enforcement officer on the shoulder of the interstate. I did not know the “Move Over Law” existed. As you can guess I was going the speed limit and did not move over, or slow down. It wasn’t until the officer pulled me over that I realized that was a law. You would think that would be on the permit test, right? Nope! Once I was educated on the law I was actually very happy that it was in place to protect our law enforcement and citizens. Now, I always make sure to move into the other lane or slow down. Had I never known about this law I could have seriously hurt someone, and from this experience I understood the importance of driver education.

Another easy way of preventing car crashes is not just driver education but also understanding the effects of driving distracted or under the influence. I think that many believe that if they just look away for a second that it will be fine to send that text. A lot can happen in a second. Every second, lightning is struck over 1,000 times. Every second, four babies are born; but more importantly 2 people die. In that second you look away you could be the reason someone dies. Distracted driving is one thing, but driving under the influence of various substances has effects on the brain that many drivers do not realize. All they know is how the substance makes them feel. Educating them on the effects of reaction time, depth perception and motor skills under the influence could go a long way in helping reduce the number of accidents caused by DUI on the roads.

All of this education stuff sounds great, but not everyone is able to pay for these fancy programs. Making driving school more affordable is a great way to ensure safety on the roads. Even if everyone could afford the education, not everyone necessarily wants to. Advertising the benefits of drivers education and presenting the information in a fun and interactive way is pivotal to ensuring safety of our roads.

Riding in the car of an irresponsible driver is scary. I have friends that drive under the influence often. They always say they drive fine, and because nothing has happened up to this point it isn’t that big of a deal, but it is only because it has been a problem… yet. If I could change their habits of driving this way I would, but I can only warn them of the dangers and simply make sure they know I will always be a designated driver if they need it. Driving with people texting and driving is a norm in my house, but all I can do is offer to complete whatever text or email while they drive and pay attention to the road. It isn’t much but it does help make our roads just a little safer.

I am very fortunate to have never been in a car accident but I am one of the few. I have witnessed them and seen warning signs of distracted driving before they happen. The best thing we can do when we see someone swerving, smell influential substances, or even see something concerning is to let law enforcement know. I have even seen someone drink while they are driving on the road. “If you see something, say something.” These kinds of distractions can be life altering for someone. It can be why a child grows up without a parent, or even why a parent outlives their child. Law enforcement is there to keep us and the people around us safe, and they do a great job, but at the same time it is up to us to help.

As a driver, I try to put my phone on do not disturb, and if the calls or text get through ‘do not disturb’ I will pull over before answering or making rash decisions. Sometimes the best way to ensure safety is to practice it, and let the people you care about now about safety measures they can take driving as well.

In the end driver education does a lot to ensure the safety of our roads. We learn laws, car handling and the dangers of distracted driving. Knowledge is the most powerful tool we can have in creating change. Safer roads are not far away, all it takes is a little education.