Driver Education Scholarship Essay

The importance of driver’s education in reducing the number of driving related deaths would be the fact that it prepares, cautions, and empowers new drivers. Firstly, driver’s education prepares drivers for the situations that they will encounter on the road. These sitiaions may even prove fatal in extreme cases, so driver’s education instructs students to deal with the circumstances in a calm, collected, and intelligent manner. Secondly, driver’s education cautions new drivers. Driver’s education shows students the negative effect of what can happen when they drive drunk, while eating, while tired, while on the phone, and other distracted driving situations. Lastly, driver’s education empowers driving students. When students are given all the proper tools that they need, they will be able to drive with confidence. All of these factors help to reduce deaths as a result of driving.

The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of driving related deaths would be attending driver’s school, always driving with a valid license, getting frequent car inspections, practicing mindfulness/ active awareness of the road, and speaking up when a problem is apparent. Step 1 would be attending a driving school, or an equal alternative, to learn the proper tools and techniques necessary for driving. Step 2 is making sure that the person driving has a valid license and renews it on time. Step 3 would be getting the vehicle of the driver checked every so often to make sure the car is running smoothly. Step 4 is always being actively aware of the road by minimizing distractions while driving, such as silencing the cellphone. Step 5 would be speaking out when a distracted driver is on the road. Step 5 would include examples such as making sure a drunk friend takes an Uber/ taxi home, telling your friend to make sure to not look at their phone while driving, and calling the police on someone driving in a concerning manner.

I have never been in a car accident which is something I thank God for, but I have seen friends and family driving irresponsibly. The biggest irresponsible behavior that I frequently see would be people using the cellphone while driving. I have seen my friends and family take calls, text people, and change the music settings on their phones while driving. When I see my friends and family doing this, I remind them that it is irresponsible, and I offer to take their phone and send the text, change the music settings, and/or look at the GPS system for them since I am in the passenger seat. I think that it is my role as the passenger to help the driver and make sure to remind them of safe driving practices because their actions also affect me since I am in the vehicle with them.

There are many steps that I can take to be a better driver and help others become safer drivers as well which include points that I have previously mentioned. Three steps stand out the most: limiting phone usage, focusing on the road, and continuing to learn. The first step would be limiting phone usage and other distractions. This step may be the most important of all because distracted driving is a pervasive and a potentially deadly issue. Phones should not be held when a person is driving, instead phones should be stowed away. The second step is reminding the driver to focus on the road. This step is very vital to feeling safe in the passenger seat of someone’s car. If a person sees the driver participating in negative driving behaviors, they should speak up and tell the driver to focus on the road. Lastly, the third step would be continuing to grow and learn. New car technology is constantly developed and created within our world. It is important for drivers to know and understand how to handle their transportation vehicles since they are constantly changing and evolving.

In conclusion, cars and vehicles are an aspect of society which our country and the world revolves around, so driver’s education must be added to the mix in order for drivers to participate in safe driving practices. Essentially, driving safely in an intelligent manner will limit the number of deaths related to driving. If all drivers can cultivate a sense of awareness and mindfulness when driving, our roads would become a safer and less chaotic place. I believe that positive change can be made on our roads if we spread awareness of the issue and bring light to the steps that people can follow in order to resolve the problems on our country’s roads.