Imparting the Importance of Drivers Education

My name is Brandon, a father to a twelve-year-old boy, who is rapidly becoming a gearhead. He loves anything with an engine, which has spurred many conversations about motoring safety. As a father of a pre-teen son, who is entering his car fascination stage, driver safety and education has been a topic in our household. After my workday, my son and I can often be found in the garage working on his first car. At the end of the day, I can be found studying, working on completing my undergrad degree. I hope to show my son the importance of education in many forms. The lesson of going back to school to finish my degree, to fixing up an old car, while discussing the responsibility of becoming an informed driver.

In two short years my son will be eligible for his permit, and in the meantime, we have discussed the responsibilities of the road. A well-educated driver, with a since of ownership of their duty to keep themselves and others safe on the road is one of the best strategies for reducing motor vehicle deaths. Driver education provides a space for new drivers to become informed on the rules of the road, but also learn of the statistics, which can have great implications on one’s life. Driving is one of the most dangerous activities one can do daily and approaching driving with a sense of responsibility is important and driver education provides a safe lesson space.

Before my son begins to drive, he will be studying for his license, my desire for his ability to drive is to keep him and others safe. To ensure he is safe as he can be on the road he will be completing drivers’ education both in theory and hands-on practicum. It is my earnest belief to reduce deaths due to vehicle accidents it starts with education, which leads to responsibility of one’s actions on the road. Continuing education after achieving one’s drivers license should be strongly considered, which can prevent poor habits, or bring awareness to drivers who may have formed poor driving habits. During my discussion with my son, I emphasize that driving is the activity at hand. To be a safe driver, attention should not be divided on other things, such as phones, radio, food, etc. Taking a different approach to the seriousness of driving could impact the poor statistics we have in fatal accidents in our society. Becoming a defensive driver through continuing education driving courses, and experience is one of the biggest impacts on reducing the statistics of death from driving.

A few years ago, I had a one-hour commute to work. The route involved a two-lane highway, which often had farming equipment, semi-trucks, and vehicles driving way too fast. This situation for a frequent driving had a likely probability for an accident, which is what happened. On my way home from work, a car ahead of me was stopped to turn left off the busy highway. As I was fully stopped waiting for the truck to turn, I was suddenly hit from behind by a vehicle going the fifty-five mile an hour speed limit. This situation could have led to me becoming a number increase in the deaths from vehicle accidents, but I was fortunate. This situation did not have to happen if the person who rear-ended my car was paying attention and focused on the crucial task of driving.

Since my accident I have become more aware on the road. I am uncertain if I could have avoided that accident, but I do know many accidents are avoidable with a defensive and aware driving mindset. Sharing my experience with my son, emphasizing the importance of becoming an educated driver, and talking about scenarios so he starts to think about driving as a defensive activity will hopefully prepare him well before he is behind the wheel, or in a driver education course. With all extreme activities that have an opportunity for injury there is often training. Driving is not the exception, training and education is the answer to safer roads and reducing the unfortunate statics we currently have today.

Education can greatly impact outcomes of one’s life, driver education and others. I am working toward continuing my education in Data Analytics to further my career and gain job security through my degree. I respectfully ask for financial support to help me reach my educational goals.