The Risks of Driving, The Benefits of Drivers Ed

Write
an essay of less than 500 words that addresses the following
questions: What is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the
number of deaths as a result of driving?; What steps can be taken to
reduce the number of deaths related to driving?; Have you ever had an
experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or
family members driving irresponsibly?; and What steps can you take to
be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on
the road?.

Since
taking drivers ed at sixteen, my sister has always been more afraid
of driving than I have. Although I often brush off her anxiety, I’m
still aware of the fact that it’s not misplaced. According to Edgar
Snyder and Associates, car accidents are the leading cause of death
for those between the ages of 15 and 20 and the Association for Safe
and International Road Travel states that the U.S suffers the most
road accident deaths than any higher income country. With these
statistics, it is important society looks at the ways in which to
minimize car deaths starting with drivers ed which showed
me how to be a safe driver by portraying the consequences of
practicing unsafe driving. This made the injuries and fatalities of
car accidents more real and helped shape me into a more attentive
driver. In fact, data has shown that students of drivers ed
courses are involved in less car accidents and are less likely to
receive a speeding ticket.

Including
implementing drivers ed, another step to take would be
teaching defensive driving and how to recognize dangerous driving
situations. When taking driving lessons with my parents, defensive
driving involves slowing down to a stop meters ahead of time and
using your peripheral vision to determine your surroundings. It means
not going faster than the speed limit and checking your mirrors when
changing lanes. When I see a car is speeding behind me, my parents
have taught me to recognize that as a potentially dangerous
situation. So in order to avoid it, I check my mirrors and move to
the next lane and let them pass. When I see a car moving slowly ahead
of me, I’ve been taught to slow down along with them in order to
avoid an accident. Although I’ve never had the experience of being
in a car accident, I have seen my parents texting and calling while
driving and have made sure to warn them against it, which hasn’t
worked. But because I know the consequences of texting and driving, I
make sure that I don’t repeat those same mistakes. I know that this
is the best way for me to protect other drivers, because texting and
driving can not only endanger me but other drivers. But besides this,
I know that some of the best steps that I can take to be a safe
driver is to make sure that I’m either driving at or below the
speed limit, avoiding the fast lane to ensure this. By limiting night
driving, I can be more aware of my surroundings and I can avoid
distractions by not taking on too many passengers.

So,
yes, I’m more focused on the freedom that comes with being able to
drive than the safety hazards. But thanks to the lessons I’ve
gained from my parents and drivers ed, those safety hazards
have been greatly reduced.