In the Driver’s Seat

Before anyone is able to drive in the state of Massachusetts, they must first complete forty full hours of in-class learning and eight road lessons/observations with a trained instructor given they’re getting their license though the MassAuto driving school. As young teenagers we’re so eager to drive places to see and do so many things that we forget the dangers of the road. It’s common sense to us that we shouldn’t use our phones when driving or travel at a reasonable speed under certain weather conditions. Driver education serves to reduce the number of deaths while driving by taking a small portion of our time to remind drivers of consequences for driving recklessly when we don’t use common sense. Nobody likes to be told that they’re wrong but when it comes to vehicle related accidents, it’s not like the driving school didn’t warn you they told you so. During the in-class learning and the road lessons, drivers are taught the basic rules of the road, common courtesy and set of fines for breaking the law. However, they’re also constantly reminded throughout the course of the repercussions of each of their actions. In classes there was a special segment of the class where the instructor showed the class a video called Red Asphalt which is a series of scenarios where people were driving recklessly and ended up costing them their lives. The video showed graphic images of the victims in each of these scenarios and despite the fact that it was only a small portion of the class, it left the class in shock of how much damage accidents can cause to a person and their loved ones. A more subtle way driver education helps remind us drivers is through the individual road lessons. Here the driver can practice their maneuvers and driving skills in the safety of a driving school car with an instructor. The best thing about it though is the instructors instant feedback on every decision the driver makes. They inform drivers of the correct ways to do something but also notify the drive of what could’ve happened. Driver education serves to implant common sense into drivers as second nature to ensure that they won’t end up in fatal accidents.

Reducing the number of deaths related to motor vehicles isn’t a simple and straightforward process. Although drivers have the freedom to obtain their license in an alternative pathway, all citizens applying for a license should be mandated to complete the in-class and road lessons offered by the RMV or driving schools in their respective states. Even if drivers don’t need a class to teach them the rules of the road, it puts all drivers on the same level in terms of driving education. When they complete their courses and obtain their license, the consequences of reckless driving always be in the back of their minds. In scenarios where groups of friends are traveling in a single vehicle together creating distractions for the driver, they will all have experienced driving school and will have the same understanding for driving accidents and deaths.

Over the years the material for the drivers education has changed to fit the modern world but adults, including parents, have driven for so long that they’ve become numb to reckless actions they take while driving. Adults are accepted as “experienced” drivers therefore they’re able to be more relaxed and unfocused behind the wheel. For a young driver who’s trying to learn from their parents, bad practices are translated down the family line. Family members driving irresponsibly is almost guaranteed in every adult solely based on the fact that they’ve been driving longer than the younger generation has. The difference between the adult and the young driver is the reactions that they have to dangers on the road. The irresponsible adult is able to avoid the danger while driving irresponsibly because it’s something they’ve encountered before. The young driver is full of rules on what to do while driving so they too can avoid the danger after practicing and studying these scenarios on the road. However, the young drive to take irresponsible driving from their family member is sure to get into an accident and risk losing their life to reckless driving because it conflicts with the drivers education teachings. Split decision making between family practice and driving education is the difference between life and death.

To benefit oneself in becoming a better driver, using common sense and practicing areas of struggle is key. Using common sense is what it means, don’t do anything that will jeopardize your safety and those around you. Practicing the skills that you are least comfortable with can help to increase confidence on the road. A lack of confidence leads to a lack of decision making which directly impacts your safety and increases your chances of getting into an accident. Not knowing what to do in a life or death situation because you haven’t practiced something enough is going to be the inexcusable cause of death. When traveling with others, it’s best to let them perform under their comfort zones. This means trusting their decision making skills because both of you have good common sense and practiced your weak areas of driving. Distractions are the most important thing to avoid when driving with another person. Neither person should try to distract one another for one of them is operating the motor vehicle that is carrying your lives. Safe driving habits and acting proactively is important to ensure driver safety for you and the wellbeing of others.