In The Driver’s Seat

In The Driver’s Seat

Driving is hard there are so many rules to remember, expensive payments, anxiety, and so much more. According to Wikipedia’s motor vehicle fatality rate in the U.S graph, in 1900 there was 36 car crashes that lost people their lives but, when compared to 1979 there was 51,093 deaths. This increased rapidly in 79 years with a 51,057-death difference. When looking at these numbers realizing driver education more important than what is said.

The importance of driver’s education should be volumized more than what it is. Claimed by the university of Nebraska on 08/13/2015, “a study found that driver’s education significantly reduces crashes and that 53 percent of the [participants], the ones who took a driver’s education had significantly fewer accidents and traffic tickets than [those] that [drove] hours without formal driving instruction. This study proves that those who don’t take drivers ed are more likely to get in a car crash than those that don’t, which demonstrates on why drivers ed is important. When I enrolled in drivers ed I didn’t expect to learn as much as I did; how to change a tire, which lights to use in certain situations, how to drive during certain weather, what do in an accident and how to prevent one. While most just want to hop in the drivers seat an go it’s not that simple, you have to take various steps to even be semi-safe. By far taking a drivers ed class and not driving under the influence while following traffic rules and regulations is the best way to not only reduce car crashes but reduce deaths along with them.

As stated by the MVA (Motor Vehicle administration), “New drivers must complete a Motor Vehicle Administration approved Driver’s Education Course consisting of a minimum of thirty (30) hours classroom instruction and six (6) hours behind the wheel instruction training.” This displays that in the U.S all states require a form of drivers education which is exceptionally helpful to make people better and safer drivers expect in states such as, Alaska, Arkansas, Missouri, Oregon and Tennessee.

Once I got my permit, I was ecstatic and wanted to go everywhere though before I’d never been scared or unwilling to drive but after driving for the first time on the main road it’s completely different. When I started driving, I almost crashed into everything and I couldn’t stay in the middle of the lanes. It was terrible my mother got frustrated with me too much and I would cry a lot because of all the stress and pressure I felt; out of everything I’ve ever learned driving has been the hardest. My focus and sense of direction was dreadful while my parking was just as appalling. I never realized how hard driving was until then and don’t even get me started on insurance bills. I was frustrated a lot on how everyone else I knew from friends to family found it simple while I struggled. To this day I scold my mother on driving with only a finger or texting. I’ve never been in a car crash but to see most people whether it’s my mother or people passing by it feels as if no one follows the rules and drives irresponsibly. More people need to think about how dangerous driving is even if you do it every day for multiple years; even the most experienced driver can crash.

When looking at Wikipedia’s motor vehicle fatality rate in the U.S graph, above I stated there was 51,093 fatal car crashes in 1979. Now looking at Wikipedia’s U.S military casualties from war and comparing the two deaths charts the 1979 fatal car deaths number is bigger than the casualties in the Vietnam war. After researching and looking at many studies and articles I realized I want to be safe I’m young and don’t want to die over something that is preventable at all cost. Being a better driver to me means taking drivers ed, following traffic rules, following the law, and not driving under the influence. Driving requires focus and stability kind of like riding a bike. Also, if someone around is driving unsafe whether that’s texting, swerving between lines, or anything dangerous and illegal speaking up is the best action to take because preventing car crashed and deaths that can come with them is important and should be prioritized.