Educated Drivers Make Safer Roads

An ever-growing world means that communities are continually expanding to accommodate new housing, places of employment, recreation facilities, and other infrastructure that helps meet the needs of the population. Similarly, the distances between these commodities and the individual are also increasing. With vehicles and driving becoming a more integral part of our daily lives, it is important for those on the road to have all the essential knowledge to keep themselves and others safe as they travel from point A to point B. With this in mind, driver training programs are becoming increasingly imperative, considering that this kind of education can be the line between life and death. Not only does it teach the rules of the road with an emphasis on safety, but it equips new drivers with skills that are vital to navigating challenging situations encountered throughout their journey.

Sending a text before getting behind the wheel, or taking the few seconds needed to check a blindspot is all it takes to avoid devastating situations. However, if the individual has not put the effort into analyzing what kinds of dilemmas they may face in their driving career, nor how to react accordingly, the potential risks are endless. On the other hand, the chance of collisions and fatalities decreases significantly when drivers are knowledgeable and aware of the consequences of their actions. That being said, driver training adequately educates drivers on crucial concepts such as traffic laws, vehicle safety, and maintenance, as well as addresses the risks and repercussions of distracted driving, in order to foster accountability and prevent harm. Driver education is designed to help drivers make sensible decisions, tackle tricky traffic situations, and respond effectively to unanticipated obstacles that present themselves on the way to their destination. By instilling a safety-oriented mindset, drivers will gain a sense of awareness and responsibility, which will help reduce the number of vehicle accidents. In addition, being taught about the consequences associated with unsafe behavior serves to diminish cases of distracted driving, while acting as an incentive to abide by the practices outlined in these programs. Overall, driver training provides people with the right tools to make quick, yet informed decisions on the road. These teachings promote a more predictable driving atmosphere, in turn, reducing the likelihood of casualties.

As for steps to minimize driving-related deaths, proper road and sign maintenance is crucial, taking into account that unkept roads can easily be the cause of an accident, rather than the actions of the driver. In terms of signage, having signs strategically placed so that they are visible to all the necessary drivers and placed far enough in advance for drivers to make thought-out decisions may help lessen incidents. Another way to decrease deaths on the road would be to integrate safe driving principles into school curriculums through classes like Career And Life Management. For example, students could learn the different types of distractions that occur when driving, including visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, and complete a corresponding assignment demanding examples and a way to prevent each one. Guest speakers and educational videos on the topic of safe driving habits could be equally beneficial to educate youth, thus decreasing the chance of fatalities in regard to driving. The CALM class I took in high school was full of short videos with quizzes to test my knowledge, alongside plenty of small assignments that made the material easier to grasp, which is why I think that a section on safe driving could be beneficial. Finally, making it more affordable and accessible to take driver training courses that offer both practical experience and reading materials about the do’s and don’ts of the road would certainly prompt more people to acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge. As a driver who took my road test in a standard car, but was not able to do the practical part of my driver’s education course in a standard, I see value in adding these kinds of choices to the existing programs to make sure that all bases can be covered.

From a personal perspective, when I was in elementary school, my mom had been in an accident and was unable to pick me up from school. Even though everyone walked away with no serious injuries, that day still had a significant effect on me, because I knew that things can happen in the blink of an eye even despite following all the rules. My mom was not at fault, nevertheless, she was affected by what had happened since she now had a smashed car and a burdening fear that it could very well happen again if another driver was not careful. Fast forward eight years and I am driving my own car and get rear-ended with my grandma as a passenger and my little cousin in the back seat. Likewise, I was not at fault, but was well aware that it could have been much worse, and having two people I deeply cared about in the car made it even more of a memorable experience. Nobody should have to fear taking their family members for a girl’s day out, let alone losing someone to distracted or impaired driving. Both of these experiences made me realize the value of knowing about potential unfortunate situations to be able to recognize possible dangerous tendencies in my own actions and in those of my family and friends.

Becoming a better and safer driver involves a combination of personal responsibility, continuous growth, and promoting safe driving practices. Having a dad with a class 1 license, I learned a handful of tips and tricks on how to be safer around semi-trucks. Additionally, with a signage shop being a family business, I was informed about why certain window tints pose a safety concern. Small insights like these have come in handy in more ways than I would have expected and I am grateful that my family provided me with these lessons. To further increase positive experiences on the road, I will follow basic rules, like wearing my seatbelt, obeying the traffic lights and only driving when I am completely alert. I will also take it upon myself to get to know my car. I will learn when I need to change my oil, at what point I need new tires, and to take my car to the mechanic when it is making strange noises. By doing so, I will not only be able to learn how to maintain my car on my own without relying on others but also protect others on the road by avoiding possible mishaps. Moreover, I will ensure that all distractions are addressed before I begin driving and advise others to do the same when I notice that they are not considering the impact a single mistake could have, especially driving under the influence.

All in all, the importance of driver training in minimizing driving-related deaths cannot be stressed enough, as it encourages people to know the rules of the road inside and out, simultaneously preparing individuals with faster reaction times and better judgment. Speaking from experience, my driver’s education course taught me a great deal more than my own personal studying for my learner’s and driver’s license. Therefore, if strong education initiatives are in place and personal accountability becomes a priority for all drivers, I strongly believe that fatal accidents can be prevented.