From Passenger to Driver: The Power of Comprehensive Driver Education

As an adult, I did not get my driver’s license until I was 25 years old. At 19, I took my written exam and passed, but when it came to sitting in the driver’s seat, I was terrified and underprepared in my knowledge of how to operate the vehicle. I drove two laps around the mall parking lot and never drove again; I did not feel comfortable with my then husband teaching me because he failed to inform me on things that seasoned drivers know second hand such as the car will start moving on its own once you take your foot off the brake. Driving schools were too expensive for us as well, so I resigned to being a passenger and navigator during car rides.

My apprehension to driving not only stemmed from a lack of knowledge, but from witnessing multiple accidents and reckless driving habits over my lifetime. As a child, my mother fell asleep at the wheel and we drove into a ditch; I never rode in the front passenger seat for a year after that accident. My family friends were in an almost fatal motorcycle accident because they did not wear their helmets, and the wife sustained a medically induced coma for two months before she regained consciousness, starting from scratch learning to walk, talk, and function as a human. She has never been the same since the accident. As an adult, I witnessed a gruesome motorcycle accident caused by a speeding cyclist and unaware vehicle driver as they turned into a parking lot, the motorcycle crashing directly into the side of the car. Miraculously, the cyclist survived the accident that, at the time, appeared to be his death sentence. After months of intensive recovery in the hospital and two amputations, he survives and continues his life as best he can after the accident. As someone who felt they would forever be a permanent passenger, witnessing these accidents and seeing the impacts the repercussions had on the lives of all involved deterred me from ever learning to drive. I never wanted to be responsible for altering someone’s life so drastically, or worse be responsible to taking someone’s life.

When I divorced my husband, I knew I had to learn to drive to survive as an adult on my own. My housemates were incredibly patient in teaching me, and took significant lengths to cover the nuances of driving that are second nature to experienced drivers. The education and assistance they provided allowed me to feel comfortable in the driver’s seat and created an environment where I felt comfortable asking any questions without fear of feeling inadequate. I took my written and practical exams and passed, with only a few minor issues that I corrected immediately in my driving, and now I am a comfortable confident driver, a skill and place I never thought I could achieve.

I never would have felt confident and comfortable if I had not received the intensive and patient education from my former housemates. This is why comprehensive driving education, both classroom and practical, is important for creating responsible and confident drivers which will in turn create safer roads for everyone. Driver education provides individuals with the skills needed to operate a vehicle safely; this includes not just basic control of the vehicle, but also understanding complex driving scenarios and making safe decisions under pressure. It ensures that drivers are aware of and understand traffic laws and regulations which helps prevent accidents caused by violations like speeding, running red lights, or improper lane changes.

Beyond the basics though, a majority of courses now teach defensive driving techniques that help drivers anticipate and react to potential hazards on the road. This can reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by other drivers’ mistakes or unexpected road or vehicle conditions. Driving education programs will also focus on improving drivers’ ability to recognize and respond to hazards; understanding the dynamics of different driving conditions (e.g., rain, fog, night driving), how to handle emergencies such as brake failure or skidding, and how to adjust driving behavior accordingly. These programs and programs held within schools address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, highlighting the impact on reaction times and decision-making, which can help reduce impaired driving incidents. Proper education can also foster responsible driving attitudes and behaviors; it emphasizes the importance of patience, courtesy, and attention for safe driving habits. For new drivers, especially teenagers, education can reduce common errors like distracted driving, overconfidence, and poor judgment, which are significant contributors to accidents.

Not only is comprehensive education important for new drivers, understanding and re-taking driving courses as seasoned adult drivers is also important for maintaining safety and skills over a driving lifetime. Often adults are not aware that they can enroll in driving courses to sharpen their skills or to update their knowledge on new traffic laws. In fact, it is recommended that drivers attend courses when they move to a different state, as local and state driving laws do have some differences from each other. Even if those differences are small or seemingly insignificant, knowing these differences exist can improve one’s driving safety and confidence.

Knowledge is power, and driver education is the greatest form of empowerment for developing safe and effective drivers. Learning the nuances of driving, how to develop safe driving habits and being aware of the hazards of driving will ultimately help reduce the number of driving injuries, accidents, and fatalities across the nation. However, the last time someone steps into a driving educational program should not be when they first get their license; driving is a practiced skill and with our ever-changing regulations and often information-saturated minds, it is a responsible practice to take driving courses throughout our driving careers to refresh our basics and learn of any new regulations. Continuing our education is the ultimate way to reduce fatalities, improve traffic congestion, and remind us that we all affect each other when driving on the road.