Why Drivers Ed?

John Buckwalter

7/31/20

Why Drivers Ed?

Part of getting a Driver’s License in America is going through drivers ed. But why? For starters, an understanding of who has the right-a-way, which road sign means what, and the many other rules guiding motorists in America is essential to driving. Another important aspect of drivers ed is teaching about dangerous driving behaviors like driving while under the influence, following to closely or driving to fast in severe weather, and aggressive driving. Drivers ed provides knowledge about dangerous driving behaviors to aspiring drivers thus ensuring they are aware of the seriousness and potential lethality of such behaviors thereby placing the responsibility of safe driving on them. Back during my senior year of high school, I was involved in a car accident caused by distracted driving. I was hanging out with a friend during the very early morning hours of the day. We came across an intersection which held a steady green light while a car to our right waited for their light to turn green. Closer to the intersection, I asked my friend to give me the cord used to play music. Now distracted, my friend failed to notice the changing light and we were struck on the passenger side of the vehicle by the car which had been waiting for a green light. Although this accident did not result in any fatalities, deaths occurring from motor vehicle accidents are not a rarity. Given this, how can we limit the amount of fatalities caused by motor vehicles? A straightforward answer to this question is to prevent and/or discourage individuals from exhibiting driving behaviors which can have fatal consequences. Certain legal measures are already in place, like DUI checkpoints and ticketing drivers who chose to use their cellphone while driving. Further legal measures could include requiring Driver’s License holders to complete an annual course geared toward understanding and preventing bad driving behaviors or adding a secondary speed limit on speed limit signs that is to be followed in the event of bad weather. Beyond legal measures, taking personal responsibility for one’s own driving behavior is critical. As a driver myself, I can take steps to ensure I practice safe driving. Sometimes when driving, I use my phone to give me directions to my destination. While I can look at my phone to get the directions, a safer alternative is to turn on the voice which gives directions without having to look at the phone. Another area which I can improve in involves the radio. Skimming between stations is another form of distracted driving. One solution to this problem is to limit the number of times I change the station. For example, maybe I chose to only change the station a maximum of three times. My practicing safe driving also makes others safer on the road as well because practicing safe driving reduces the probability of an accident by eliminating behaviors which often lead to accidents.