Driver Education Initiative Award

Driver Education Initiative Award

By: Scarlette Brannon

The importance regarding driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is valuable and extensive teaching is vital in preventing death on the road. For example if a teacher does not take strong initiative into setting the value and privilege it is to drive then the students will not be able to comprehend how valuable safe driving is. Driver education should be taught to all ages, taught extensively, taught by experienced drivers and someone who has studied the laws of the road. Moreover, the teacher should discuss more than the basics of the laws; therefore, they should describe the danger of road rage, specific geographic locations, how different weather affects driving, and lastly give examples on what could happen if precautions are not active.

In the classroom the teacher could make it a rule that the students may not have their phone during lessons, in the same way they should not be on their phone while driving, and the teacher should collect mobile devices until class is dismissed. Furthermore, some precautions that can be taken to prevent death while driving is the prevention of drinking and driving, being high and driving, and eating and driving. These things are commonplace nowadays and often time eating and driving is seen as the least harmless however there are several accidents caused by this scenario; however, there are several accounts of accidents while the driver was under drug intoxication.

I have had one wreck that unfortunately totaled my car but did not harm anyone nor myself. It was seven o’clock am and I was on my way to a class, I was not intoxicated, I was not on my phone, and I was not eating nor drinking anything; however, the road is a small country backroad and there is a large truck site on this road. One large truck was pulling out of this lot and therefore took both lanes so I swerved into a ditch and out of adrenaline stepped on gas instead of break leading me to ramp up the ditch and land in another ditch. Moreover I have seen several instances of improper driving from some friends and family. For example, my mother has ADHD and I have noticed when she does not take her medication she gets distracted by gazing at something and ends up swerving into the other lane. Secondly, several of my friends are known to text and drive, snap and drive, or change their music on their phone. I have noticed when my friend gets on her phone while driving she speeds up.

Conclusively, one way I can become a safer driver is to be more aware of my surroundings and get plenty of rest so that I do not drive while tired. Also some ways to encourage others to drive safely is by reminding my friends that texting can wait and telling my mother to take her medicine before driving.