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The Importance of Driver Education

What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?

I took the online class for driver education because of covid and then went on the road with an instructor. Even though the class was online, I feel that I learned a lot from it about the rules of driving. When I went out to drive with the instructor, I was able to go to a lot of places that my mother took me, but with less anxiety. I was able to learn more and get a chance to practice knowing that the instructor could stop the car or steer if needed on his side. This let me relax and do a better job at driving. I learned the right way to drive on the highway because of driver education. I know for a fact that learning how to merge correctly on the highway, saves lives. Driver education will absolutely reduce the number of deaths because you learn the right way to drive. You can study the book from the MVA but it is different to actually go out with an instructor and learn hands-on. I see a lot of things that people do wrong when driving, but I know this because of driver education. I am able to be a calmer driver, which prevents accidents, because my instructor told me “the people behind you can’t go through you. Don’t stress about them and just focus and don’t let them make you speed. People can study and pass a test and forget all they have learned because they didn’t have driver education to reinforce everything. That is when people become dangerous and irresponsible drivers. They are placed on the road without the background knowledge learned in driver education and they unfortunately cause accidents and deaths.

What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?

First, require that all new drivers take driver education. It makes a difference to get the approval from the instructor. I am not familiar with other States, but in Maryland the instructor had to sign-off on my paper to say that I passed before I could even take the driving portion of the test. The saying ‘knowledge is power’ is true. The more information new drivers are presented with, the more they are empowered to drive safely. Secondly, I think demonstrations done by police and actual people who have experienced accidents as a result of irresponsible driving is helpful. We are a visual generation and we like to listen to those closest in age to us. Having someone give their experience and also seeing the results, is a way to reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

Have you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?

Fortunately, I have not been in an accident. However, I have a friend who has and had his car taken away due to an accident. It was shortly after he started driving. He was very lucky and now drives with caution but it could have been much worse. I also have a family member (Uncle) who drives irresponsibly. It is extremely scary to be in the car with him and I prefer not to ride with him. I know that accidents where people live add to their trauma. There is an intersection that my mother will not go through and drives all the way around to avoid it. When she was a child, she was in an accident there and she never forgot it. That trauma should make others who have experienced the same better drives because they are more cautious. It should make others that have not been in an accident more aware of the long-term effects of accidents not just physically but mentally as well.

What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?

The first step that I can do is something that I have already done and that is to take driver education. Not only take it but apply what was learned. The next step would be to always think of others. If you have compassion for others and yourself, then you want to be a safe driver. The third step would be to never make assumptions. You/I am not in a position to assume what someone in another car will or will not do. I have always heard my mother say in the car that she has to drive for herself and others. I never really understood that until I started driving on my own. Then I could see that not making assumptions that someone will stop, or that they see me, was not just driving for me but driving for others as well. I think providing the proper education, visuals, and the testimony of other drivers will help to make others safer on the road.