The Importance of Comprehensive Driver Education

One of the scariest moments of my childhood was learning that my older brother had been t-boned while on his way home from school. He had recently gotten his license and had only been driving for a few months, but unfortunately, he didn’t check both directions when going through a green light and did not notice a car running the red light. Luckily, he made a full recovery and had no long-lasting injuries as a result. Still, the entire ordeal could have been prevented with more extensive education about the dangers of driving and how to mitigate them. Ever since that experience, I have been a strong proponent of more comprehensive driver education.

Driver education is one of the most important, if not the most important, part of reducing the number of fatalities caused by car crashes each year. Arming everyone with the tools needed to keep not only themselves, but everyone around them on the road safe, is essential to bring down the number of deadly car crashes every single day. The top two reasons for car crashes in the United States are distracted driving and speeding. A more complete and in-depth education that teaches drivers the consequences for both of these and also the various other causes of crashes, such as drunk driving, would lead to more well-informed drivers who make better decisions when behind the wheel. Speaking from personal experience, I felt that the driver’s education I received through my school when I started learning to drive was far from comprehensive and was not an adequate preparation for getting on the road. I had to learn many of the laws from my parents or others while I was driving, instead of knowing them before I started driving. Many driver education programs in the United States do not adequately teach people everything that needs to be known. This, in combination with the ridiculously easy written test and driving exam, leads to underprepared drivers who lack an understanding of traffic laws and the potential consequences of their actions behind the wheel. By increasing the scope of the driver’s education content as well as increasing the difficulty of the final driving test, fatal crash rates could be dropped.

The first step of reducing the number of deaths caused by car crashes is restructuring how driving is taught and tested in the United States. First, classes should have a greater focus on how to drive safely and keep safe driving habits. Obviously, road laws are very important and should be the main focus of the courses, but a greater emphasis should be placed on teaching new drivers good habits. Classes should also teach more about how to spot hazards before they become an issue, such as unsafe road conditions or another unsafe driver on the road. Secondly, safe driving campaigns could raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, driving while impaired, and reckless driving. This would be a way of further education for drivers who have already left driver education classes. Thirdly, a social environment of encouragement for safe driving behaviors needs to be cultivated. An environment that encourages, instead of discouraging, safe habits will lead to a greater acceptance of safe driving habits.

I take many steps to be a better and safer driver when I drive. The most important one is removing distractions, such as my phone. I usually turn on my music and then put my phone in the center console or the glove box before I start driving. I understand that even a second of being distracted on the road can lead to dire consequences, so I always ensure my attention. To make sure that everyone in the car is as safe as possible, I confirm that everyone has their seatbelt on before driving. If someone is not wearing their seatbelt, then I won’t drive. Seatbelts are one of the simplest ways to drastically reduce the chance of death in the event of an accident. I also encourage my friends and family to drive responsibly and follow traffic laws. Also, if I am a passenger, I volunteer to text for the driver so that they don’t feel tempted to text and drive. It is also essential to remain aware as a passenger and alert the driver of anything they might not have noticed, such as bad upcoming road conditions or an animal on the side of the road that might jump out. Many steps can be taken to increase safety on the road.

Focusing on education and personal responsibility can reduce the number of fatalities related to driving and create a safer environment on the road.