Drivers Education Initiative

The importance of driver’s education is to tutor and train new drivers to follow the rules of the road. Doing this can reduce the crashes deaths we encounter every year. But there is a problem at hand. Even with drivers ed and all these rules and regulations on the road, people will still drive carelessly. I know friends while I was in high school that were actually scared to drive because of how reckless some drivers are. Actually, following the rules, like following the speed limit, yielding at yield sign, slowing as a light has turned yellow and stopping at a red light and stop signs, can really reduce these accidents. Drivers ed is really important, but if people don’t internalize the importance of following the rules, then what’s the point? Most serious accidents are caused by distracted driving, speeding, drunk and reckless driving, and weather conditions. A rule is already in place about using cell phones while driving, but drivers don’t seem to care. Or are of the mindset that it won’t happen to them. I still see people with cell phones while driving all the time, and it isn’t something that seems to worry people. They don’t realize that they are putting the lives of others around them in danger. Who knows, maybe in the future they will make cars automatically lock your phone so you can’t use it at all unless in emergency situations. We need some device or interrupter to make this happen. The next issue is excessive speeding, which is hard to fix to be honest. Even with speed limit signs, people will still go way over the speed limit, and swerve through lanes if they are in a hurry. I see it a lot more frequently on the road with younger drivers as well, trying to impress friends or just other drivers around them vying for attention. Law enforcement does all they can to stop this, but obviously it is very difficult to catch every single speeding driver. Cars in the future may look to not only know the speed limit, but keep the car within 5-10 mph over it, and nothing more so reduced crashes will occur. I think adding in lots of statistics on traffic accidents that include videos of real people who experienced accidents to be presented in class may help new drivers take things more seriously on the road.

Running red lights, stop signs, and driving without headlights while driving are forms of reckless driving. This is when I feel like people are aware that they are driving in a way that puts others at risk, and they do not care. Even not putting on a seatbelt is reckless driving, putting your body in more danger than it already is at. Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic so be sure to take extra care around aggressive drivers. Most important do not engage which could lead to road rage. Easy tips to avoid being a reckless driver are to: always wear a seatbelt, avoid distractions caused by passengers, cell phones, food, or loud music, avoid driving altogether (use ride share serves), and don’t speed. Now there is drunk driving or driving while under the influence, which is one of those where you definitely need a group of friends around to help you. Even if you’re alone at a bar, if the bartender sees that you’re clearly intoxicated, they shouldn’t let the customer leave unless they can call up someone to pick them up. Drinking impairs your senses, and also decreases your brain to muscle coordination, both are a bad combination while trying to drive. In most cases, drunk driver accidents result in the drunk driver surviving the crash, and the innocent people losing their lives. I feel over the years law enforcement has been doing a better job at catching reckless drivers and keeping the road safe. Bartenders will be a great help though, if they start not letting intoxicated customers leave without someone sober taking them home. In general, with most cases of accidents, it comes down to people not being aware of their behaviors and is selfish on the road. Putting old drivers and new drivers in a worrisome situation, being the reason, they wouldn’t want to go on the road.

We have all seen friends or family members drive recklessly, even me every now and then. I have seen family and friends using their cell phones and friends going 50-60 in a 40-mph speed limit zone. Everyone has driven irresponsibly at one point, and some have been on the negative receiving end of irresponsible drivers. I am thankful to have not been in a car accident, but there have been cases where I was almost at the receiving end of some, due to reckless drivers. As I stated before, I have seen friends and family driving irresponsibly, whether it’s going 10 plus over the speed limit, or using their cell phones. Now steps I can take to become a better and safer driver are things my parents taught me and things that were taught in drivers ed is always checking my car inside and out before heading out, and checking my rear view and side mirrors are a really big deal as well. Especially before driving day and night, making sure my headlights, read brake lights and turn signal lights are working appropriately and are clearly visible to other drivers. Checking my car’s oil every now and then so I don’t break down in the middle of the road, getting regular maintenance checkup for my car and making sure my gas tank is always at least half full. While driving, I will put my cell phone on do not disturb while I drive, and make sure no distractions are around me, not riding with loud music, and being observant of what is happening around me by using my mirrors. I will start encouraging family and friends on the importance of following the rules of the road to decrease accidents and increasing their ability to drive safely. Ensuring that I continue to drive with auto insurance, so in the event I am involved in an accident, I don’t have to pay for damages out of pocket. I do not believe in underage drinking nor using substances so I will continue on that path to remain safe while driving. And most importantly letting friends and family know that if they are in a situation where they feel as though they are not able to drive safely, I am someone they can call to pick them up judgement free.

In closing, driver’s education is a very crucial topic that should be talked about more. We as a society need to put more emphasis on the goal of road laws to keep everyone safe together. We all make mistakes while driving sometimes, but reducing these can help a bunch, for the greater good of those around us. Let’s make driving safer together.