Drivers Education Saves Lives

Driving safely is incredibly important, especially in modern society where almost everyone over the age of 16 has at least one car. That means there are more cars on the road, more traffic, and more people in danger of having potentially deadly accidents. This also means there are more drivers who may not know the dangers of reckless driving and may even partake in it themselves contributing to more danger on the road. Consumer Affairs states that by the year’s end there will be nearly a billion and a half cars on the road worldwide. According to studies, only sixteen to seventeen percent of all the drivers in the world have a license to drive. While most drivers in America do possess a valid driver’s license, many never receive any formal instruction leaving these drivers unprepared for the dangers of the road.

Education for drivers is incredibly important. Knowledge of the laws of the road as well as knowledge of how to operate a vehicle is essential for safe driving. In addition, drivers must be trained on what to do in case of an accident or a traffic stop to keep not only themselves safe, but also the other drivers on the road safe. Learning how to drive is much more than operating a vehicle. Drivers should know how to maneuver their vehicles in many situations and road conditions. They must be aware of potential hazards on the road.

I, personally, have been very fortunate to have never been in a car accident. However I have been in multiple close calls. In fact, one of the close calls was while I was driving through a small town around where I live. A person in a beige minivan ran the stop sign and pulled out in front of me. She was not on her phone, but she never even looked my way before pulling out into traffic. We would have collided had I not swerved and honked my horn. That experience left me shaking all the way to my home. I have also heard stories of road rage where drivers were angry or distressed. One of my teachers in high school told the story of a man who cut him off then held a pistol out the window yelling explicit words when anybody tried to pass him on the highway. I have heard other tales from some of my family members who have been in car accidents, and I have seen plenty of accidents simply driving on the road. Most of the other close calls and accidents I have seen and heard about were from drivers distracted by their phones while driving.

Data shows that the roads are becoming even more dangerous although many people are naïve to the dangers of the road. They don’t understand the dangers of driving until they are in an accident and are either injured or the other driver is injured. Larger vehicles like large SUVs and pickup trucks have increased in popularity and now dominate America’s roads. Because these vehicles are larger, heavier, and more powerful, they cause more deadly collisions. Speeding and distracted driving add to the dangers on the roads and highways making drivers, passengers, and pedestrians only more vulnerable to injury and death.

The steps that I and others can take to become better drivers on the road and reduce fatalities are knowing traffic laws and being a responsible driver. These include looking both ways before pulling out into any kind of traffic whether the driver thinks a car is coming or not. Also, leaving the phone in a place where the driver can be free of distractions. Other than GPS and music, a driver’s phone should serve no purpose in the car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers who are texting while driving are even more dangerous than those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. That important text holds no priority or importance over a person’s life or the lives of the other innocent people on the road. In addition to learning the dangers of driving, drivers should also be educated not only how to use the vehicle they will be driving but also on the rules of the road. Many times I have seen people do dangerous things in cars without thinking about the consequences. For example, I have seen people wait for far longer than they should or pull out in front of people when they did not have the right-of-way at a four-way stop because they weren’t sure who should go first. Not knowing the rules of the road causes accidents. Drivers should also be informed about the consequences of speeding. Driving is dangerous even for the safest driver on the road, but that danger increases with a distracted, ignorant, and/or reckless driver. Driver education programs can reduce the number of deaths that occur on highways every year.

In other words, our highways, roads, and streets do not have to be so dangerous. There are ways to mitigate the risks of driving and improve highway safety. Driver education addresses issues like driver responsibility, traffic laws, and defensive driving. While cars are tools, they can also be deadly weapons if handled irresponsibly. It is the responsibility of every driver to make the roads a bit safer for everyone.