Importance In Driver’s Education

I’ve seen both how driver’s ed has helped, and how not having this class has worsened conditions on roads. I lived most of my life in Tucson, Arizona before moving to Utah, and found it was a requirement to take a driver’s ed class; unlike in Arizona. Drivers knew how to drive down south, but seemed to go from permit to license very quickly. The excitement and need for freedom seemed to exclude the need to grasp on what they were driving around. Living in a populated city with many drivers, pedestrians, bikers, and animals running around, the need for awareness before having a license was a major push. Accidents down there were almost as common as it is for a mosquito to bite during monsoon season.

My older siblings didn’t take driver’s ed, and don’t understand certain requirements I’ve learned in driver’s ed. With both the online course, road, and range, I’ve learned more and more about driving than my siblings have. My older brother is an excellent driver, but he had to gain hands-on experiences over time. My older sister still doesn’t know how to parallel park, at all, and is easily distracted. My mother did driver’s ed, but wasn’t likely to pass if her teacher didn’t like her as a student. My step dad, however, is a very great driver who has taught me a lot with his driver’s ed experience. I’ve been able to see the difference between drivers in how much experience they actually have gotten in driving. I doubt I’d be the same driver I am today without a driver’s ed. As stressful and on edge I was about just wanting my license, Driver’s ed proved to me how important it is to learn the skill before trying near others.

During COVID, I had to do my class at home. While a lot of stress was put on me from the many hours of homework, driver’s ed was one of the classes that was most likely the most useful. I had many simulations and situations put through on my computer that really helped me drive safely without actually having to drive yet. Being very aware through computer driving, this has helped me learn to be aware when driving on the road. I believe the simulations should be an experience every young and possibly older driver should try to test their reactions on the computer.

I think driver’s education should be enforced stricter. As a teenager just wanting my license, I often thought of getting my assignments done without a care. With the assignments not really allowing that, however, I finally just sat down and did the assignments right. As I came in with the new mindset, that was when I really found the importance of driver’s ed. I can say, going through this, I’m not only a more aware driver, but I’m now safer than most driver’s from being aware. This is something you learn in driver’s ed before you have to experience it the hard way on the road.

The accident that comes to mind happened a couple years ago in my sophomore year around this time actually. My sister and I were driving to school when we started coming to an interception. The car in front of us happened to be my sister’s boyfriend, and the lane we were in had the right of way while the two lanes going north and south had to stop for us until it was clear. A lady, however, who wasn’t paying attention didn’t come to a stop before hitting my sister’s boyfriend in the back of his car at the left. A cop was in the area and my sister testified what happened as a witness since I had only seen after the impact and her full impact. Having been aware of her surroundings, this a situation that could have easily been avoided.

Awareness is most likely the biggest cause of accidents. If I wanted the roads to be safer, I would just push for awareness. If we were more aware of those around us, our surroundings, or what we are even doing, accidents would be kept at a minimum instead of more frequent. This does include drunk driving, texting, and having screaming children in the back. Being distracted is the complete opposite of being aware of what is happening around you. Being more aware, limiting your distractions as much as you can, and staying safe in everything you do will help make the roads safer.