Driver Education

At today’s rates, being in a car accident is becoming a “when” it happens instead if an “if” it happens. This is an incredibly alarming fact. According to Statista.com in an article titled, “Road Accidents in the United States”, almost 12.15 vehicles were involved in crashes in 2019. A big portion of these accidents can be explained by a lack of education and road awareness.

Oftentimes, as one can imagine, teenagers can get so caught up in the excitement of being able to drive, that they forget the real importance of their lessons. The more educated we are as a society when it comes to road safety, the less risk we all run when we get on the road. The most interesting part of this is that there truly is no better place to start then with the individuals just beginning their journeys on the road. The more advanced and educated they are, the better example they can set on the road.

Although driver education may not seem like the top of anyone’s priority list, it is extremely important. Millions of people have died in car accidents and will continue to as long as distracted and uneducated drivers are on the roads. I believe that just about anyone knows someone who has been in a car accident if they have not themselves. Personally, having experienced this for myself, I can say it is one of the most terrifying experiences. No matter what speed or situation, car accidents are never something to laugh at. The adrenaline and fear of not knowing if you are actually going to be okay is a feeling that truly no one should have to experience, but so many do. Regardless of this fact, the truth is this feeling should be almost completely avoidable.

There are so many different steps that can be taken to avoid irresponsible driving. A few examples being: put away technology, drive in a stable mental condition, and be prepared and conscious of decisions you will make. The more conscious and purposeful we are about our decisions to drive, the more citizens can take on the roads without anxiety and fear. Car accidents can be incredibly traumatic, and it is up to us to stop this continuing trend.

To dive deeper into these, we all understand how influential technology is in our daily lives. It has been an incredible tool that allows us to contact others across the globe, post with a click of a button, or even enjoy the comfort of our favorite music during our daily commute. The issue can truly arise because of how easy it is to use. Technology can take down our defenses because we are sure that it is a simple text. You don’t need to look at the road. Or that one funny video won’t hurt during the daily commute. Regardless, this can be a real danger on the roads if we are not able to place it out of our focus during our drives.

Additionally, driving while upset can endanger many more people than just yourself. Everyone who has taken a drivers education course understands that driving emotionally can be detrimental, but oftentimes we underestimate just how bad it can be. For example, getting in a fight with someone then leaving in your car can lead to incidents of road rage or unwise decision making. If you were to drive while crying, your vision is impaired and making that trip dangerous for not only you, but also anyone else on the road. It is imperative that we understand the extent of our emotions and when it is safe to drive.

This same argument is made for driving under any illicit influence. The excuse it was only “one beer”, or “one hit” will not hold any argument when facing a family who has lost their loved one. It simply is not okay to put a night of fun above the value of another person’s life. This is especially true in a generation in which technology makes all sorts of transportation readily available. Not only is it illegal to drive impaired, but also incredibly selfish. It is not fair to other families or your own to receive a heartbreaking phone call just for one good time. Call a cab or a friend, drive responsibly.

As covered, an uneducated driver can be one of the most dangerous things facing our society on the roads. It is incredibly important that we stress the real weight of understanding the rules of the road. With passionate teachers and impactful lessons for individuals of all ages, we can make a real change on our roads. This in turn can save thousands of lives from traumatic car accidents.