Lessons in Safety: The Value of Driver Education

I passed my permit test on my first attempt on February 23, 2023, and I was delighted. Due to their upbringings and marriages, all the women in my family were either unable to take the permit test or didn’t until they were in their forties. And here I was, at 16, taking and passing my test. In my state, South Carolina, one has to hold their beginner’s permit for six months before taking their driver’s test. My parents, including my mother, decided to send their kids to a licensed driving school. And as C.O.P.S., a prevalent driving academic right next to my school. When I heard that I would have to spend my time going to some driving school, I regretfully admitted that I wasn’t ecstatic. Why would I have to go to some driving school to learn to drive when I could focus on driving instead? But that was the only way my mother would let me. She said, “That class can teach you more than I can.” So, for 8 hours, on December 27, 2023, at 8 a.m., I had my scheduled driver’s education class. About an hour into the class, I realized my mother was right. The teacher of this class showed us videos of driving accidents that were and weren’t fatal, some of which I think about almost every day. She also told us about the car accidents she had seen in real life; she was a cop.

But most importantly, she showed us the unforgiving nature of driving—death. One of the videos that stayed with me was of four friends driving together in a car. One of them didn’t have a seatbelt. They got into a car crash, and the boy’s body flew forward and hit the driver and passenger, killing them both upon impact. Then, the person sitting next to him, most likely his girlfriend, had her head slammed into his. This led to her having life-long brain and mental problems. I tell you this for the same reason that it was shown to me during my driver’s education: because it’s the truth. Do you know why driver education is so important? It’s important because it shows us a different perspective on driving, and it’s given to you as a hard pill that you must swallow.

Driver education doesn’t hold your hand; it does not favor one over the other. It is used to show drivers how not to be the cause of fatal mistakes that could take one’s life. Driver education can teach a young mind the difference between right and wrong and could help reduce the number of casualties caused by driving.

Now, I understand that taking a driver education course doesn’t protect one from getting into car crashes, but it can lower the percentage of those who do. However, to also reduce the risk of death while driving, one must not drive under the influence, speed, or get distracted. One reason why 18- to 24-year-olds are at the highest risk of death by driving is due to being under the influence. The C.D.C. records that in 2020, almost 30 percent of drunk driving accidents occurred between 15 and 20-year-olds. A third of all drunk driving accidents happen to those not out of school yet. Speeding is also a severe issue that needs to be acknowledged. After taking their driver’s test, some drivers decide to throw caution to the wind and drive however they want. But I and many others must advise you against this. When you speed, you slowly start losing control of your car. And if you decide to break, the faster your vehicle goes, the longer it will take you to stop. However, driving within the given speed limit can reduce the chance of getting into an accident. In the 21st century, almost everyone has a cell phone. The C.D.C. estimated that in 2024, over 3,000 people will die from distracted driving due to texting. That’s more than the number of soldiers who died during Pearl Harbor, but instead of being shot at by the enemy, it’s a small device only six inches tall. While this example might have been unnecessary, it is still valid. Keep your eyes on the road and your phone; do not disturb.

I cannot personally say that I have lost anyone close to me in a car accident, but my older brother has. My older brother, whom we will call Stephen, had a best friend, whom we will call Michael, get hit head-on by a semi-truck. I was told Michael took a turn when he shouldn’t have because he was on his phone. He was in the hospital for two weeks, on life support. If Michael pulled through, he would have to relearn how to walk. Stephen visited him whenever he was able, and I wish, as I was writing this, that I could tell you that he survived. He didn’t; his parents decided to pull him off life support, and he died shortly afterward. I use him as an example because Michael was one of the good ones. He fixed his life and headed to the army to serve his country. But because of his mistake, his life is no more. I may not win this contest, but I hope those who do read my paper realize that your life is so much more than a box in the ground.

I know that the last two pages are about driver education, but there are some skills that one needs to develop on their own. They should get more experience by using “occupied” roads, asking questions, and being patient. My mother couldn’t always take me driving, but there was usually heavy traffic when she was. And this immensely helped me as a driver because, for lack of better words, it threw me into the deep end. Using occupied roads showed me what driving a car is actually like. Being on those roads has prepared me for almost anything and given me the confidence to make timely decisions. Asking questions doesn’t mean a driver is dumb; they want reassurance. Driving leaves little room for mistakes, so if you can lessen the number of errors made by asking questions, then ask them. Lastly, one has to remember that they are not the only ones on the road. Professionals and beginners are driving alongside you to get to their destination. It does them no good to have an impatient hothead on their tail, making them nervous. Imagine if you had a child or friend driving. Would you want someone to be inconsiderate?

In conclusion, driver education is an important stepping stone to becoming a safe driver. One must pay attention to this class as I did, and instead, one should use the knowledge gained during this time to stay safe. I hope whoever reads this, young or old, strongly heeds my advice.