Driving: A Privilege, Not A Right

It was an early July morning, around 8:00 when me and teammates on my cross-country team were running our mileage for the day. I remember crossing the street and we were in a group, with one guy behind us. We crossed the street, and I recall looking back to see a car hit our teammate while he was crossing the street, then it just left. I stayed back with a couple of other girls and the guy because I had my phone with me to call my teammate’s dad. The bizarre part was that I had run this route countless times without an incident and then on a random Saturday a distracted driver, who did not have the right of way hit someone and drove off. I have had incidents of being in the car with my parents and being rear ended before, but seeing someone physically being hit by a car was something I never anticipated.

Early in my driving career, I learned that driving is a privilege and not a right and should be taken seriously. In 2022 alone there were 42,795 fatalities due to car accidents in the United States (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2023). Driver’s education ensures all drivers are aware of their road responsibilities and the risk. In addition, the importance of driver’s education in reducing deaths while on the road is that the safe drivers who have taken driver’s education learn how to avoid high risk situations when encountering an unsafe driver. Drivers need to learn and understand the road signs, the rules of the road, and how to make responsible decisions while on the road, whether that means waiting 2 minutes for the next green light or simply ensuring that you and your passengers have their seatbelts on.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, one needs to take the time to build experience on the road. When I first started driving, I actually avoided it all that I could and would only drive the bare minimum. However, my parents pushed me and assured me that the more hours I spent getting experience, the more comfortable I would be in my skills and knowledge. Not only that, but I also learned to drive in different weather conditions, for example a couple of Christmas’ ago, I was driving to my brother’s house to look after his dog, and it was snowing in addition to the already icy ish roads. I also learned to drive in the fog, pouring rain, in dark, and when the sun is shining right in my eyes or in the sideview mirror. Looking back at it, I am grateful my parents pushed me, and I can happily report I have been driving accident free for 3 years. Along with gaining experience on the road, I also took a driver’s education course that prepared me to be a safe and responsible driver on the road- and not just for my own good, but for everyone else’s too.

In 2020, distracted driving, such as being on the phone, took the lives of 3,142 people. In 2021, 3,522 individuals lost their lives to distracted driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2021). These numbers show the importance of why drivers education emphasizes the need of driving without distractions, especially when all you must do is silence, mute, power off, or put your cellphone in the glove compartment. This step is one that could be life altering and will help reduce the number of deaths related to driving. So will always wearing a seat belt, or never driving intoxicated or under the influence, making sure you are awake and alert, and understanding that you are operating a machine that if not operated properly, can result in death.

The summer I turned 16, my parents signed me up for a driver’s education course, and it consisted of 30 hours of classroom education and 6 hours behind the wheel split into 3 sessions. During the behind the wheel sessions, I drove through different areas, and my instructor covered multiple important topics. The first drive my lesson focused on the basics of the road, and we even did an activity where I drove in and out of cones going forwards and backwards without hitting them. My second lesson focused on safely getting on and off the highway, driving downtown (which was extremely nerve-wracking) and parallel parking. My last lesson was split between driving and paying attention to the normal things- street signs, speed limits, my speed, cars around me, etc.- and the driver’s test. With just those additional 36 hours of driver’s education, I felt more prepared to drive on the road and I understood my responsibilities as a driver.

I know that as a driver I am constantly learning and improving. In order to be a better and safer driver I could do better at making a point of noticing a road sign before and as I go past it. For example, if the speed suddenly changes, I will be prepared and not surprised or pulled over (which I have never been!) if I am going the wrong speed. As far as helping others become a better driver, I will always say something if I see they are distracted, especially by a phone and always set an example for passengers when in my car and stay off my phone. I will also always stress the importance of wearing a seat belt, and I will not leave where I am until all my passengers are safe.

Drivers’ education should be taken seriously, especially considering that a person is going to get into a car and share the road with hundreds of others. It is important to pay attention when being taught and that is also why the DMV requires anybody who wants to operate a vehicle to take and pass the learners permit test and the actual behind the wheel, on the road driver’s test. Driving is risky and that is why drivers’ education stresses the importance of safety and responsibility when getting on the road.