It Isn’t Worth a Life

It
Isn’t Worth a Life

In
2019, The National Safety Council estimated 38,800 people lost their
lives to car crashes. While this is almost a 2% decline from 2018 and
a 4% decline from 2017, that is still a horrifyingly high number.
Even though a large portion of this statistic is the result of
driving under the influence, drivers’ education is becoming
increasingly important.

In
the U.S right now, teens are required to take Drivers Ed at age 15 ½,
take a written test when it is completed, and then, after having a
learner’s permit for 6 months, take the driving test. However, at
age 18, one can go straight to taking the driving test, not needing
to have taken drivers ed. In doing this the risk of fatalities
involving a moving vehicle increases incredibly. In order to insure
the reduction of deaths involved in driving all drivers need to be
required to take drivers ed. By doing this, there will be a higher
chance that everyone will follow the rules of the road and, in turn,
a lower rate of deaths and injuries because of drivers.

When
I was a Junior, our school was part of a program called Every 15
Minutes. We produced a very realistic car crash, a funeral involving
the entire school, and a video with a story behind the whole thing. I
was one of the people who died because of the “drunk driver”
student. While all of this was merely a production and not real at
all, and it was about driving under the influence, it can still be
applied to driving without having the proper education and suffering
the consequences. Without having prior knowledge, there is a higher
chance that driving will result in fatalities. And just like the
results the drunk driving exercise had, not taking drivers ed
will potentially carry a huge impact on not only the driver, but
their loved ones, whoever was hurt and their loved ones as well.

A
drivers ed is an easy way to save the lives of others,
behind the wheel and not. It is so important to keep everyone safe
and lower the curve of fatalities, and that can be done simply by
taking a drivers ed class before becoming a driver, no matter what
age you are. It isn’t worth a life.