A Parent’s Perspective

As a mother of three teenage children, I am keenly aware of the importance of driver education. Every day, parents worldwide send their children out onto the road, where there is always the potential for tragedy. That is why driver education is so essential. It teaches our children the skills and knowledge they need to be safe drivers.

Driver education teaches students the rules of the road, how to operate a vehicle safely, and how to handle hazardous situations. It also teaches them the importance of defensive driving and the dangers of distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors. Studies have shown that driver education is effective in reducing the number of crashes and fatalities involving teenage drivers. For example, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that teenage drivers who completed driver education were 27% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash and 20% less likely to be involved in a collision resulting in injury.

In addition to the safety benefits, driver education can help reduce the financial costs associated with traffic crashes. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that teenage drivers who completed driver education were 40% less likely to file a claim for property damage and 30% less likely to file a claim for bodily injury.

I have seen firsthand the importance of driver education. When I was in high school, a friend of mine, Maria, was involved in a car accident. She was driving home from school when a drunk driver cut her off. Maria had to react quickly to avoid a head-on collision. She had always learned in driver education to be aware of her surroundings and prepared to respond to unexpected events. She also learned the importance of leaving a safe following distance between her car and the car in front of her. Through her driver education training, Maria could defensively maneuver her vehicle and avoid a severe accident. She swerved into the other lane, just missing the drunk driver’s car. She then regained control of her car and pulled over to the side of the road. Maria was shaken up but unharmed. She was incredibly grateful for the driver’s education that she had received. She knew that if she had not been so well-trained, she could have been seriously injured or killed.

This experience left a lasting impression on me, especially as my children began expressing interest in driving; I wanted to make sure they were prepared for the uncertainty of driving and would always be able to make choices that would bring them home to me. 

There is much we can do to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. These include:

• Enforcing traffic laws strictly: Traffic laws are in place to protect the safety of all road users. When traffic laws are enforced strictly, it helps to deter people from engaging in risky driving behaviors.

• Investing in safer road infrastructure: Safer road infrastructure can help to reduce the severity of accidents when they do occur. For example, guardrails, rumble strips, and well-designed intersections can help prevent drivers from losing control of their vehicles and crashing.

• Raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors: Many people are unaware of the dangers of distracted driving and other dangerous driving behaviors. Raising awareness of these dangers can help to reduce the number of people who engage in these behaviors.

• Promoting the use of advanced safety features in vehicles: Advanced safety features, such as automatic braking and lane departure warning systems, can help to prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

As parents, we also play a vital role in reducing driving deaths. We can teach our children about safe driving from a young age and set an excellent example when we are behind the wheel. We can also talk to our children about the dangers of distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors.

Here are some specific things that you can do as a parent to help your children become safer drivers:

• Start talking to your children about safe driving early. Even before they are old enough to get a driver’s license, you can start talking to your children about the rules of the road and the importance of safe driving. You can also take them to visit a local driver training facility so that they can see what it’s like to operate a vehicle.

• Make sure your children complete a driver education course. Driver education courses teach students the skills and knowledge they need to be safe drivers. They also learn about the dangers of distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors.

• Set a good example for your children. When you are behind the wheel, obey the traffic laws and drive defensively. Avoid distractions such as using your phone or talking to passengers.

• Talk to your children about the dangers of distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors. Make sure they understand the risks of texting and driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Have a contract with your children about driving. This contract can include agreeing not to text and drive, not to drive with passengers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not to speed.

• Discuss sleep routines. Driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving while impaired. Make sure they know to get enough sleep before they get in the car.

• Make the basics routine! Seat belts are the best way to protect yourself in a crash. Make sure to buckle up every time you get in a vehicle.

In conclusion, driver education is essential for reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. It teaches drivers the skills and knowledge they need to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly. Our responsibility as adults and parents is to discuss and teach these skills through our actions and reputable driving schools. By taking these steps, you can help your children become safer drivers and reduce the risk of driving deaths.