Navigating Safety Behind the Wheel: Why Driver’s Education Matters

Did you know that more than 36,000 people died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2018? Millions more are injured each year. This is due to the lack of safe driving, which includes paying attention to the road, texting while driving, not having a seatbelt on, or driving intoxicated. The importance of driver education should be taken more seriously and pushed more. As a society, we all should invest in our futures by committing to safe driving and staying alert. The moment you hit the road; you’re not just driving for yourself but for everyone else around you as well. Every time I get behind the wheel, I personally commit to myself to take the proper measures to ensure I am being a safe driver as well as watching out for others. 

Driver’s education helps lower accident rates by instructing students in defensive driving techniques. It teaches essential skills, promotes safe habits, and raises awareness. In driver’s education, defensive driving is a crucial part of being safe on the road, and it is heavily emphasized in these programs. This means staying alert, looking around at other vehicles, and responding quickly and efficiently when needed. Driver’s education is highly recommended since it encourages responsible driving from the start. According to reports, learners are more likely to maintain safe behaviors throughout their driving careers if they’re taught from the start. When in driver’s education, you are not only taught these safety precautions, but learners also receive one-on-one behind-the-wheel lessons. Students will gain experience with driving on the main roads, through residential areas, and highways. Overall, driver’s education provides individuals with a firm foundation in road safety and traffic laws. Individuals will be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge with the purpose of reducing accidents and promoting responsible driving habits. 

When driving or thinking about driving, it can become stressful or hard to remember all the basic safety steps that should be taken for road safety. That’s why it’s still important to receive the education that these driving schools provide and apply it when ready to drive. Everyday when one may drive can become a lesson, whether a personal mistake was made or something another driver did was recognized. The number one rule that is always taught to a new driver is wearing your seatbelt. Wearing your seatbelt may seem small but will go a long way for one’s safety. Another important thing that may not be talked about enough when it comes to safe driving is vehicle maintenance. It’s especially important to keep up with regular maintenance for your vehicle to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive to begin with. Many incidents happen all around the world related to unsafe driving, and many can be the cause of minor actions. For example, it’s so very important to stay alert, especially if there are others in the car; they’re putting their lives in your hands from the moment you start driving. It’s very important to always check your blind spots, watch out for pedestrians, minimize all distractions, yield when you’re supposed to yield, and stop when you’re supposed to stop. All these tie into proper safe driving precautions, but there are many more to consider and be aware of. Lastly, the advancement of technology has positively affected the automotive industry. There has been a drop in the number of deaths caused by accidents in later years. For example, smart vehicles or advanced vehicles have developed powerful features that are less prone to accidents; they offer safer features. Some of these vehicles minimize human interference and are becoming more automatic. This is a profound change for the future, as accidents will be greatly reduced if these automatic cars work on their own. 

As for my own personal driving experience, I can confidently say that defensive driving is an important skill that every driver should learn. I have my own personal experience of being in my first car accident by myself. This tragic event felt like my brain chemistry changed. I was so effected. Prior to having my accident, I was in a car crash with another relative about seven years ago. But for this specific accident, it happened in my very first car. I felt as though I could never explain to anyone how everything felt in the moment and what was going through my mind. Everything happened so fast it felt like my life flashed before my eyes. The first initial hit was so hard I didn’t even feel it, like the nerves in my body were trying to correlate what just happened. I remember immediately getting out of my car because I thought it was going to blow. I looked at myself in the window, and my mouth was full of blood; all I could do was scream and cry. Before I knew it, the ambulance came, cleaned up the scene, and totaled my car. At that moment, I knew I never wanted to drive again. My mother and uncle arrived at the scene, and I was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a minor concussion and a few bruises. I’m so very thankful that was all, and I came out alive. I can admit that my mentality was affected much more. Though I was not at fault for the accident, I couldn’t help but feel like I was. I couldn’t forgive myself; I kept blaming myself. I didn’t go to school for about two weeks and stayed to myself. I couldn’t open up to any of my friends because I knew I would instantly break down. I decided to seek counseling through my school since I couldn’t seem to focus in class after having random flashes of the accident. I didn’t want anyone to know about my accident because I didn’t want to be known as a “bad driver.” But I am in fact a cautious driver and had to learn that this accident did not define me. Now, it is almost a year since my first car accident, and I have finally made peace with the situation. When I am in the car with another and I am not the designated driver, I still look out for them. If I’m with a friend that’s not sober and I am, I will drive and not them. I am now fully confident to share my own personal experience and help others. It was not easy, but I was able to build up to this point, and I am proud of myself. 

This is why I personally stress the importance of driver’s education to reduce the number of accidents related to driving. Everyone has a role in saving lives and reducing accidents. I encourage individuals to value driver’s education and commit to being safe drivers. Take the time to really educate on how to take proper precautions to protect oneself as well as others.