Importance of Driving Education

Proper driver education is effective in reducing the number of deaths associated with driving. Each year, a large number of lives are lost due to car accidents which could have been avoided with the right training. Knowing traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, and the dangers of reckless driving prepares people with the skills necessary to drive safely. Inadequately trained drivers are often unaware of basic steps taken towards ensuring safety on the road which results in both collisions and fatalities.

Developing better ways of teaching driving fundamentals can greatly reduce the number of deaths caused by driving. Students should be taught both basic and advanced methods such as defensive driving, hazardous situation identification, and the consequences of driving under influence. Moreover, including real-life simulations in education curriculums can prepare new drivers for decision-making long before they take the wheel.

Stricter enforcement of traffic laws is another important measure. As always, speeding, distracted driving, and driving while intoxicated continue to be major contributors to accidents. More severe consequences for reckless driving behaviors should be put in place to encourage safe driving. These consequences should include jail time. Campaigns to inform the public of dangerous driving habits also serve an important purpose.

In my case, I understand the risky behavior when driving as I have been in an accident before. My mother and I got into a car crash when someone hit her car while she was turning. I was completely ignoring the road because I was on my phone. Without a moment’s notice, I felt a jolt on my side of the car and suddenly, everything took place in front of my eyes. There was an airbag going off and smoke everywhere, Oh and my mom was shouting, telling me to get out of the car. She herself could barely move but her attention was entirely focused on my well being. There was a lot going on, my hands were shaking and the last thing I thought was that all this had occurred was in truth real. So many things were happening at once, the damages that were done to the car, my mom’s injuries, it was all a little too much. To my great relief, I thought that at the end of the day, we were both alive. That single moment on hand has shown me a lot in life, how every aspect can change so quickly and how difficult it is driving can be.

The accident made my mom feel very nervous about driving again, and noticing that attitude shift was difficult. After getting the new car, she did not feel like driving for a long time. The accident had destroyed her self-confidence, and the hesitation she seemed to radiate out of her gaze whenever attempting to drive made that very clear. To me, the struggle was difficult to watch, but at the same time I respected her willpower. In the end, she did manage to instill the confidence in herself and get back to being the fearless driver she used to be. The fact that she was able to overcome all the anxiety made me proud, since knowing how impactful a car can deeply affect a person’s state of mind, reinforces the facts around how important proper traffic safety education can be around the subject.

My mother always told me that “I should drive for myself and everyone around me.” What seems like a simple phrase carries a deeper meaning. As explained, driving responsibly requires one to go above and beyond the simple act of following rules. Other drivers can be careless, absent-minded, or just unfamiliar with driving etiquette. This means precaution and alertness is necessary to escape collisions with other drivers. I find this quote helpful because it enforces the responsibility each driver needs to undergo—for themselves but also the others on the road.

This quote reminds me of the broader changes that have to happen with the mentality of a driver in order for them to be considered as safer. From my end, I decided that I will be more attentive when driving or using the vehicle as a passenger. This means putting away my device to avoid distractions like texting or browsing. On top of using the vehicle responsibly, I will also use my common sense and practice hazard anticipating to avoid giving the wheel unwanted drivers. I also make it a point to memorize new traffic rules and changes to previously instated ones to refine not just my skill but the skills of other candidates on the road.

It’s just as important to encourage others to be responsible drivers. Promoting personal accountability by teaching friends and relatives the negative effects of careless driving, reminding them to stay attentive, and sharing personal anecdotes helps develop social responsibility. While encouraging seat belt usage, avoiding drunk driving, and supporting campaigns to promote safer roads seem like small actions, they play a vital role in decreasing traffic fatalities.

To summarize, educational initiatives aimed at drivers are imperative to eliminate avoidable deaths associated with road accidents. Comprehensive training, law enforcement, and public education campaigns constitute the pillars of optimal road safety. A personal car accident experience taught me to be more attentive and responsible while driving. Seeing my mother struggle to cope with the trauma of the accident made me more aware of the psychological effects any accident can have. Adopting practices that make me a better driver and teaching others to do the same will help make roads safer for all of us.