Uneducated Driving Kills

Pretend I give you a Lego set and ask you to put the set together. You open the set to see that you have all of the pieces, but I took away your instructions. You have most likely put legos together before and you know what it’s supposed to look like, so you can try and put it together. You most likely won’t be able to put the Lego’s together completely correctly though as you would have been able to if you had the instructions. Driving is kinda like that in my eyes: you grow up watching others behind the wheel, piecing things together as you go, but without learning the “instructions,” you’ll never be able to drive properly. Cars are dangerous machines and can easily take someone’s life if the person who is operating the car is not educated on how to safely operate it, which is why education on this topic is so important.

In my opinion, the driving test in America is far too easy to pass. While I believe that everyone should have access to transportation, this privilege should only be granted once individuals have genuinely proven they can operate a vehicle safely and understand the full scope of laws that govern the road. The current system allows people to obtain a driver’s license with minimal training and often without a deep understanding of how to drive responsibly. To address this, I suggest implementing mandatory driving courses for everyone, which would cover both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. These courses should not only walk individuals through the rules of the road but also test their comprehension of those laws in depth. In addition to the knowledge portion, the courses should include hands-on driving instruction and a thorough driving test that assesses actual driving ability in real-world conditions. It’s not enough to just be able to drive; drivers should be able to demonstrate their ability to react to various situations safely and effectively. By requiring this level of competence, we can ensure that people are equipped with the skills needed to drive responsibly. After all, when we hand someone the keys to a car, we’re not just giving them the ability to get from point A to point B—we’re giving them the potential to change lives, for better or for worse. With the power to operate a vehicle comes a serious responsibility, and it is crucial that we take that responsibility seriously. If we truly want to prevent accidents and save lives, we need to raise the standards for what it means to be a responsible driver and ensure that every individual on the road is fully prepared for the consequences of their actions.

I consider myself fortunate to have never been in an accident, nor am I very close to anyone whose life has been lost due to reckless driving. However, I’ve certainly witnessed poor driving firsthand. My father is an extremely overconfident driver, and I’ve grown up gripping the handlebar while he’s behind the wheel. My sister, who is often caught speeding, is another example. The one death that has hit me hard due to reckless driving just occurred. Recently, a severe ice storm hit Nebraska. Due to the icy roads and a lack of understanding about how to drive safely in such conditions, my cousin’s mother tragically lost her life in a fatal car accident. It’s been incredibly tough on her. Unfortunately, most people will be able to give you a story about someone who has been killed and severely injured in a car accident in America.

The most important piece of advice I can give to anyone is to take the time to thoroughly understand your state’s driving laws and learn how to operate your vehicle safely. If you don’t know the rules of the road or the proper procedures for driving, you are not only putting yourself at risk but also endangering those around you. Driving isn’t something to take lightly—it requires awareness, knowledge, and responsibility. Another key point is not to let overconfidence cloud your judgment when behind the wheel. Confidence is essential, but it’s equally important to remember that the road isn’t yours alone. It’s easy to become complacent or arrogant, especially when you’re in a hurry or feel in control, but you must always recognize that your actions affect others. Every time you get in a car, you are responsible for both your own safety and the safety of those around you. The consequences of reckless or careless driving can be devastating, so always approach the road with respect and caution.