The Criticality of Driver’s Education

The first time I drove by myself was the most liberating experience of my life. The amount of adrenaline rushing through my veins was addicting, and as I pressed down on the accelerator, the adrenaline rush only became more forceful in nature. Despite the immense amount of what felt like pure energy rushing throughout my body, I made every attempt possible to control my powerful emotions. Controlling my emotions while driving was one of the first lessons I had learned in my driver’s education course. Not only did I learn how to control myself emotionally while driving, I also learned how to assess the amount of risk associated with making certain decisions on the road, how to handle many different and unusual situations I may find myself in, and many other useful tips and tactics directed towards ensuring my experience on the road is as safe as possible. The importance of a quality driver’s education course cannot be overstated, and the impact it has on one’s driving is highly noticeable.

The main objective of a typical driver’s education course is to prepare the learner for as many situations as possible that one may encounter while on the road. The content wrapped in one of these courses consists of the very basic but crucial aspects of driving, such as the definition of road signs, what different pavement markers signify, and the general parts of a vehicle as well as how to operate them. However, these courses also contain important instructions on more ambiguous topics, the most noticeable one being the “rules of the road”. While many of these rules are not officially enforced by law, they often are accepted by commuters as the “norm” and typically should be followed in order to display adequate “driver’s etiquette”. Having a complete understanding of these rules allows drivers to quickly communicate with each other and predict what actions one may take while out on the road. Another aspect of driving that a quality driver’s education course touches on is risk assessment while on the road. When approached with the need to make a decision on the road, for example turning left onto a main street, using a risk assessment approach to the issue allows one to estimate when they should turn, and when they should wait. Time and time again, I use this technique in different situations on the road, and if I feel the maneuver might be too risky, I choose to avoid it and find a different solution to get to my destination. At the end of the day, trying to save three minutes and possibly seriously injuring yourself or others seems unnecessary when there is a much safer option available that may be a little bit slower.

As showcased previously, the advice and skills a quality driver’s education course teaches young drivers is priceless and can be the difference between a terrible accident and an expert maneuver made to avoid one. The issue, however, arises when one considers what a “quality” driver’s education course is. Many courses online only consist of a few modules and videos before a person takes their permit test, and then after taking their permit test, the only people available to teach them how to operate a vehicle are their parents, who may not possess the skills necessary to properly instruct a new driver how to drive. In order to reduce the number of deaths on the road, driver’s education courses should consist of both an online collection of modules walking a learner through the various aspects of driving, tests to ensure the learner understands the information being presented to them, and sufficient in-person instruction time with a credible driving instructor. Going out onto the road for the first time as a new driver can be a harrowing experience, and having an instructor who can stay relaxed in anxiety-inducing situations is extremely important to ensure the driver also remains calm. Another factor to consider when attempting to reduce the number of fatalities on the road is making sure that exceptional driver’s education courses are available to families at an affordable price. Many low-income families do not have the funds necessary to purchase a quality driver’s education course for their children, which either results in the child being taught by their parents, who as previously stated, may not qualify to be a reliable instructor, or not being taught at all and forced to learn on their own.

While affordable driver’s education courses that are intricate and detailed can help drive down the number of deaths on the road, another factor to consider is observing how other people drive. For example, oftentimes when I am riding with my parents, multiple instances take place where they are distracted by their phones or their surroundings and may start driving erratically. Their accelerations and decelerations become sharper, resulting in the need for faster reaction times for cars behind them. Sometimes they may swerve a little outside of their lane, which requires action from drivers around them. My mother has been involved in multiple accidents, and while most of the time they were not her fault, the few times it was her fault was a result of distracted driving and driving in a manner unsuitable for the current road conditions. I am extremely thankful that no one in those accidents suffered serious injuries, and my Mom has learned a few valuable lessons from these incidents, however even still she often finds herself tailgating other drivers or becoming distracted by her surroundings. I have made it one of my goals on the road to not become absorbed by outside anomalies, and ensure my full attention is on the road and the drivers around me. I am in full control of my vehicle, however I have absolutely no influence on what other drivers do, which is why it is important to be aware of other drivers around you.

Driving can be a blessing and a horrific curse for many people. It can bring about gratitude and create lasting memories, but it can also destroy a life in a matter of seconds. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and people must recognize that when they are out on the road. To ensure my own safety as a driver, I am always trying to assess the amount of risk a certain situation could put me in before I execute any maneuvers. To ensure the safety of my family members, I have tried to call them out on their unsafe driving habits. Sometimes they listen and focus, and other times they may forget. It is important that we continue to recognize the importance of driver’s education courses and encourage new drivers to partake in them, as they can be the deciding factor in whether or not a person becomes another number in a statistic.