How to Improve Driver’s Education

Parker Hoffman

How to Improve Driver’s Education

“Is everybody okay?” my sister said after she had just lost control of the vehicle due to a sheet of black ice. We drifted into the left lane after sliding on a sheet of slippery, black ice before we clipped an oncoming vehicle and spun into a tree down in a six foot ditch. Luckily for us, my sister, my two neighbors, and me made it out of this crash without a scratch because we were wearing our seatbelts.

Although my sister was focused on the road, she was going too fast for a snowy day in November. Many crashes are caused due to driving over the speed limit or too fast for a particular area. The reasons our cars slide uncontrollably in the winter is because we came into a turn going too fast. I feel like the reason I have never been close to a crash is because I don’t speed and I slow down early for turns, stop lights, and stop signs especially in the winter. When I slow down early for these things it gives me more time to react to anything that could affect my route. I didn’t begin to think about slowing down earlier until one time I slid on ice when I was turning right. Luckily for me, there was nobody in the left hand turn lane that I was turning towards otherwise I would’ve hit them. I think that drivers education teachers should teach kids to slow down earlier so that they can react quicker.

In addition, I have noticed when I am a passenger in other vehicles the amount of distractions there are when driving. Passengers can be distractions for a driver. I feel that drivers including myself, should explain to passengers that it is important that they do not become a distraction. Also, a phone is a giant distraction and results in many crashes each year, so I always put mine away when I am behind the wheel. I know that when I’m driving if there is something I need to do on my phone, the same thing can still be done in 30 seconds after I safely pull to the side of the road or into a parking lot. Drivers education teachers should encourage their students to do this. My parents encouraged me to pull to the side of the road when I am getting a phone call or think of a reason I need my phone; my parents understand that as a kid I’ve grown up always being on my phone so it is not always easy to be able to ignore a phone call or the ding my phone makes when a friend texts. My friends and I use our phone as a GPS but we both understand that it can still remain stowed away while doing this. Google maps has an option where a voice gives directions so that you can keep your eyes on the road at all times. Drivers instructors should do a better job explaining how to deal with distractions safely rather than just saying to not get distracted.

Drivers instructors do an excellent job of training students to be safe drivers. But, for students who live in areas that get a lot of snow, it is important to teach kids to slow down early for turns and stops. Furthermore, with this new technology age I think that it is extremely important to teach drivers how to deal with distractions safely and effectively.