The Power of Driver’s Education: How It Can Save Lives and Make the World Safer

I took driver’s education three years ago, and honestly, at the time, I thought it was a waste of time. Going to class for a week straight to complete Joshua’s Law was not how I wanted to spend my sophomore summer. At the time, at fifteen years old, I believed learning about the road signs, the rules of certain weather conditions, and what to do in emergencies was common knowledge. Only recently, now being 18 and seeing my sister undergo the process to obtain her license, have I realized the impact driver’s education has had on my life and the importance it has in creating a safer society.

Driving education has reduced the number of deaths by teaching young drivers the skills and knowledge needed to drive safely. This isn’t just an opinion; it is a fact. According to the American Automobile Association, driver education reduces a driver’s crash risk by 4.3% and a driver’s chance of getting a ticket by 40%. In addition to this, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln states that you are 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal accident if you have not completed driver education. By providing new drivers with knowledge and skills, they reduce driving-related fatalities. In my own experience driving, I often refer to what I was taught in driver’s training. For example, in extreme weather conditions, I increase my following distance by a second for each adverse condition (visibility, weather, location, etc.) to give me enough reaction time in case of an emergency.

Another benefit of driver’s education is that it prepares new drivers for what they will encounter on the road. Driving is not just about following the rules; it is also about being aware of the environment, the other drivers, and the potential hazards. Driver’s education helps new drivers develop a sense of responsibility, judgment, and confidence behind the wheel. It also helps them understand the consequences of their actions and the impact they have on others.

For example, driver’s education teaches new drivers about the dangers of impaired driving and speeding, two major causes of fatal crashes. My community has been affected by these two problems a lot. A few months ago, two teenage girls who were trying to cross a road were hit by a drunk driver late at night. Sadly, one of the girls died, and our whole community grieved for her. There were also two cases of teenage drivers at high speed. One happened three years ago when a male student from our high school was driving way too fast and failed to make a turn, which made his car go off the road. Another was a similar case, but this accident happened a month ago, and it killed both the driver and the passenger. These tragedies could have been avoided if the drivers had been more careful and responsible. Driver’s education teaches new drivers the rules of the road, but they also need to take extra steps, such as being careful about their speed and mental state, to prevent tragedies like these.

In addition to driver education, there are many other steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths caused by driving. These steps include wearing seatbelts, creating family rules and expectations, and using technology to monitor and improve driving habits. These steps can help new drivers become more accountable, cautious, and safe on the road.

For example, wearing seatbelts is a simple but effective way to protect yourself and your passengers in case of a crash. I learned this lesson the hard way when I was involved in a car accident with my family in 2016. We were driving to Florida with our travel trailer, and it started to sway uncontrollably. Before I knew it, the car was flipping over, and we ended up upside down. While I was on the roof of the turned-over vehicle, the rest of my family was suspended upside down in their seats. We were lucky to survive with only minor injuries, and I was not wearing my seatbelt, so I was extremely fortunate. That incident made me realize the importance of always wearing my seatbelt.

Another step that can promote safe driving is creating family rules and expectations. For example, in my family, we use Life360, an app that tracks our phone usage, speed, braking, and acceleration while driving. This helps us be honest and accountable for our driving habits. In addition to being more transparent, this technology has kept us safe and protected. Another possible step for creating family expectations would be implementing rules, such as telling your family where you will be during certain hours of the day or restricting new drivers in the family to local areas and saving highways for more experience.

In conclusion, driver’s education is vital for reducing the number of driving-related deaths and creating a safer society. Driver’s education teaches young drivers the skills and knowledge they need to drive safely, prepares them for what they will encounter on the road, and helps them develop a sense of responsibility and confidence behind the wheel. However, driver’s education is not enough; new drivers also need to take additional steps, such as wearing seatbelts, creating family rules, and using technology to improve their driving safety. I am grateful that Georgia requires driver’s education and that my sisters have to go through the same training as I did. I think every state should have this requirement to improve safety and reduce driving-related deaths. I know I will continue to benefit from it at Georgia Tech, and I hope society will, too.