Driver Education and the Impact to Youth

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

Awareness is the first step in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. As a young driver, I was not aware of the significant amount of driver deaths and the number is shockingly high when compared to overall deaths from combat. Driver education is critical to creating awareness for young drivers. Classroom training opens the door to awareness and the hands-on training begins the application process. As tedious as recording my many driving hours with my parents was, I gained a lot of knowledge based on their driving experiences that they were able to teach me while I was behind the wheel. I vividly remember my Mom grabbing the handle in the passenger seat the first few trips that I was behind the wheel. That slowly faded along with the verbal lessons as I was driving. We both got to be very comfortable with me behind the wheel and within a few months I would catch my Mom gazing out the passenger window while I was driving – completely at ease.

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

I believe driver distraction and inexperience are two large contributors to driving related deaths. Driver distraction can include things like cell phone use, passengers and mental distractions (running late, tired, worried about the days events, etc). Personally, I feel many of my friends are responsible about not using their phones while driving and any interaction with the phone would be hands free/voice activated through the vehicles. However, I have witnessed many older adults actively checking their phones while driving. Messaging towards the youth about the dangers of driving while on your phone has resonated. I feel that messaging needs to be directed towards the 40+ age group as I see too many of these individuals driving while texting.

Passenger distraction can also be a factor in car accidents. As a 16 year old who had just received a license, I was very frustrated that I was limited to the amount of passengers that could be in the vehicle with me. Now that I have turned 17 and made it through the probation period, I see the importance of this restriction. Many times I will have 3-4 friends in the vehicle with me and will have to ask them to settle down or be quiet. As an inexperienced driver, I don’t think I would have had the skills to navigate the road successfully and manage the people in the vehicle. Personally, I think this is an important step to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Unfortunately, I know too many kids whose parents let them bend this rule and I think the consequences of doing so could be deadly.

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

I have experienced a minor car accident in my High School parking lot. My sister and I were exiting campus when another driver failed to stop at the stop sign and rear ended us. While nobody was hurt, the sound of the impact and movement of the car caused my sister to scream out and my adrenaline spiked. There was damage to the car and the individual who hit us was scared of getting a ticket and fled the scene. He created a dangerous situation by cutting around everyone and speeding down the road. Fleeing the scene was an ignorant move as everyone has cameras and we were easily able to identify the hit and run driver.

I have also experienced being a passenger in a vehicle and the driver acting aggressive / border line road rage. I believe this kind of behavior behind the wheel of a car is dumb and very dangerous. Vehicles are not made to be weapons and using them in an aggressive manner is irresponsible. In addition, you never know the mental state of the other driver or who may have a gun. I understand that people sometimes get frustrated with other drivers but for the safety of all involved it’s best to keep your comments within the confines of your own vehicle.

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

The steps that I plan to take to be a better and safer driver are the following:

1. Hands free phone use only

2. Don’t drive distracted (sleepy, mentally upset, unruly passengers, poor time management)

3. If possible, avoid driving in hazardous conditions. If the roads are bad, find a way to stay home.

4. Follow the rules. Don’t exceed the posted speed limits. Stop at stop signs. Yield when required. Merge when required, etc. These posted rules are critical to keep all drivers on the road safe. If everyone were to adhere to them and those that break them were fined, the roads would be a lot safer.

I can help others become safer on the road by reminding those I travel with to follow the steps outlined above. In addition, I will be pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with plans to become a Police Officer. One day, I hope I can have a positive impact on young drivers and educate them about driver safety throughout my interactions within the community.