The Importance of Driver Education

Driving is one of the most common methods of transportation, and in the United States, citizens may begin driving as young as sixteen. Therefore, it is important that all drivers, especially newer ones, know the rules of the road. Driver education plays a crucial step in the learning-to-drive process; it lays the foundation for one to drive safely and intelligently. Without it, our world that so commonly relies on automobiles would not be functional, nor would it be safe.

In the 1910s and 1920s, precisely the era of cars’ introduction, automobiles were operated by an extravagant amount of reckless drivers. Unsurprisingly, citizen and infant mortality rates surged. It was not uncommon for children to be killed while playing in the streets. In fact, this scenarios accounted for 75% of of car-related mortalities. Even today, statistics still detail hundreds of car-related tragedies that could have been prevented. As this website states, 34,000 people die yearly from driving, exceeding death counts from the Iraq and Afghanistan war. Carelessness, recklessness, and even drowsiness may seem trivial, in daily life. However, in the driving world these are very serious issues. One the road, these factors can even kill people. As we all know, death cannot be undone, but it can be prevented.

Therefore, receiving a solid education about driving is a must for establishing driver safety. High schools can and should implement driving education in their curriculums, especially for sophomores of driving age. I am privileged enough to say that my school offers this class, which covers valuable information over a quarter’s length. In this class, each student receives a copy of the state’s driving manual and is required to take the written exam at the end, free of charge. In my opinion, this situation is ideal. Not only do students get to take the written exam for free, the entire class is geared towards this goal. Students are set up to take their exam and earn their permit as this class teaches important and realistic driving scenarios.

However, my friends that go to different schools are not as privileged as I am and do not have access to a driver’s education class. This is a cause for concern; the key to promoting safe driving is to increase the accessibility of driving education. A required drivers education course educates students on a developmentally appropriate level while also encouraging them to think twice about any risky behaviors. Driver education exposes them to real consequences. Besides that, driver’s education is crucial in promoting do’s and don’ts, basic fundamentals of driving, laws, road signs, and so much more valuable information.

That being said, one cannot enroll in the class and make nothing of it while actually driving. Driving is a privilege and therefore a skill. It takes patience, practice, and practicality to master; attentiveness and caution are a must. A driver’s education class is especially helpful for newer drivers as they can apply knowledge they have just retained. Driving is not, and should not, be pure guesswork. Unfortunately, that is how many people behave on the road.

Fortunately, I have never been in a car accident myself. However, irresponsible driving is still far too common, even among people I know. Let’s face it: driving is a privelege that is often abused. Reckless teenagers in my area often drive drunk at illegal times during the night.

But that’s not the only instance of all-too-common irresponsible driving. Carelessness can manifest in much smaller ways, like drivers using their phones on the road. Luckily, no irresponsible driver in my family has faced lethal consequences, but positive driving habits are a must regardless. Unfortunately for many, bad habits are hard to change, and many may not even be aware of them. This is another reason why driver education is so critical because it lays the framework for positive driving habits while actively discouraging negative ones.

Additionally, it is important to apply these behaviors to oneself while also recognizing faulty behaviors in others. If someone you know is driving irresponsibly, it is important to tell them. Many are afraid of generating conflict, but this may save someone’s life in the long run. Additionally, most people aren’t even aware of their bad habits. Holding others and of course yourself accountable can exponentially improve safety on the road.

Overall, driving safety is an important topic that is often neglected. Recognizing driving safety discourages and prevents accidents. We as individuals can cause driving deaths to plummet once we take responsiblity and learn from our mistakes.