Navigating the Roads: The Importance of Driver Education

I live approximately 20 minutes away from school, but every morning, it takes 40 minutes to almost an hour and a half to drive to school, and this is because of the never-ending traffic that occurs on the roads. It doesn’t matter if I take the highway, the axis road, or even drive through neighborhoods; the traffic is inevitable. With this never-ending traffic, other drivers and myself must be educated on the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitude to navigate the roads safely.

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death globally, with over 1.35 million fatalities annually. However, with proper driver education programs that acknowledge not only the technical aspects of driving but also the psychological and behavioral aspects of driving, many of these incidents can be prevented. To help avoid these incidents, institutions should invest in more robust driver education programs that cover both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. These programs should be accessible to all age groups, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to evolving road conditions. Along with this, stricter law enforcement on traffic laws would decrease the number of reckless drivers. By increasing the penalties for speeding, DUIs, and distracted driving, drivers will be more likely to comply with the rules and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Lastly, the advancements in vehicle safety technology need to be embraced by society. With new features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control settings, drivers can prevent accidents from occurring on the road. Manufacturers and consumers should adopt these technologies to enhance our roads’ safety further.

Every day before I leave the house, my mom always tells me, “No speeding, Aly; pay attention to what’s going on around you because it only takes one time for something life-changing to happen.” While I heard what she said, I never actually took the time to digest what she meant until something happened. In February of 2022, my friend Nurizah got into a car accident. She was speeding through an intersection when a car T-boned her on the driver’s side of her vehicle. Because of the speed and impact of the crash, not only was the car totaled, but Nurizah was in critical condition. I still remember to this day sitting in class, hearing the rumors spread of a student getting into a car accident. While no one knew who it was for sure, I prayed that Nurizah had missed the first period because of a doctor’s appointment and not because she was the one who had gotten into a crash. Hours later, it was revealed that Nurizah was in the hospital unconscious. Days and then weeks went by until we heard anything from Nurizah. Almost a month later, Nurizah returned to school, but things seemed different. She had scars on her legs and arms, stitch marks on her forehead, and bruises that seemed to cover all of her body. I remember running up to Nurizah and hugging her. I was so happy she was here and okay, but what she said after I pulled away broke my heart. “I’m sorry, but who are you?” Nurizah had suffered from amnesia. She didn’t remember anything from the past two years, which meant she no longer knew who I was.

While I have never been in a car accident, Nurizah’s reckless driving not only caused several injuries but caused her to forget parts of her life; she will never remember the memories, experiences, or people she had met from that time all because of her choice to drive irresponsibly. This experience serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of responsible driving habits. This is why the importance of driver education to reduce deaths and injuries can’t be overstated. With the knowledge and skills that driver education programs provide, new drivers will be responsible and well-informed. By implementing stricter traffic law enforcement, embracing the advancement of safety technologies, and drivers’ commitment to safe driving habits when on the road, we can reduce driving-related accidents. The pace of life is always accelerating, so road safety should be a top priority to ensure a future of safe roads for all drivers.