Driving is a Skill not to be taken for Granted.

Everyday, drivers across this country head out to school, to work, to pick up a friend at the airport, or to run an errand. Driving is a skill not to be taken for granted. Yes, driving gets us to the store, to school, and to errands – but driving can be also dangerous and end lives if good driving habits are ignored or not practiced every time someone opens the car door to take a trip whether 1 mile or 100 miles. Driver Education certainly comes into play as an important aspect of keeping roads safe, keeping people safer, and reducing the number of driving related death.

I appreciate the opportunity to write this essay and I can start by sharing I have driven. I have. Two or Three times in my father’s Nissan Titan and I was thrilled and terrified at the same time We drive around give me some practice in empty parking lots and around a neighborhood near where I go to school. I observed the other drivers who had to go slow due to the neighborhood speed limit of 35 but thought about when and how each of these drivers learned to drive.

I can recognize the importance of driver education in lowering the number of deaths from driving. Another important aspect of driver’s education is understanding the traffic laws – specifically miles per hours posted and staying with in the limit alone saves lives just as the good neighborhood drivers I passed.

Another important element of driver education is understanding a car is a machine. Not a toy and one must be attentive. Attentive to distractions such as cell phone use. Attentive to weather issues such as storms, flooding, or heavy winds. These can impact how one should drive.

Equally important is understanding why no driver should drive impaired whether under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The lives at risk are in every car he or she passes as well as his or her own. If passengers are also in the car, the impaired driving is putting everyone at risk which presents an increase in danger for them all.

Most states require a driver’s education Course. The benefits to this also include steps taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Driver’s Ed can help new drivers learn how to avoid danger and driver student can develop new skills and confidence behind the wheel. With great confidence, new drivers may be less anxious or stressed and pay more attention to the drive. Strengthening the concept of seat belts for all. One good celebrity promo could have an impact. Imagine Taylor Swift or the Rock declaring how important seat belts re and how they save lives? We are in a culture now that social campaigns can become life saving campaigns. I would probably listen myself.

I have never been in a car accident. My parents are responsible drivers but I have been in the car with someone who drove me home who was texting on a recent family trip to California. After a wedding, we needed a ride back to the hotel and one of the attendees said we could all ride back with them. I am sure you are going to ask; did I say anything? I did not – but I did offer, “Would you like me to text the message while you drive?” And the phone was put down with a bit of a look of irritation. I was fine with that. I can attest, I would never enter a car if someone was drinking. I have been taught well enough to just find another way home if that ever happened.

I do not drive beyond the routine drive on empty neighborhood and parking lots but to be a better driver, I would make sure I have my seatbelt is on always. I would make sure any passenger does as well. I would minimize phone use and use blue tooth while driving. Would I never text? Gosh, it is hard to say I would never pick up a phone but I would surely pull over if it is a message or call requiring my attention. Another way I would be a safe driver is to drive defensively. I have had good examples; my mother is a slower driver and my father is not. Neither one of them ride the bumper which is a horrible idea in any type of traffic. Not only does is present a danger if someone stops on a dime, it can aggravate the driver in front. They always tell me to keep a car length between me and the driver in front of us. I keep their driving tips in mind and will practice them when I spend more time behind the wheel of my (hopefully) new car when I gradute.