Drivers Education is the Way to Go

Back in the old days, when my grandparents were learning to drive, their parents or siblings took them out on an old dirt road in the country and turned over the wheel to them and said, “Go for it!”. Or they began learning by driving a tractor when they were old enough to step up into the seat and drive around in the pastures. Yes, those were the good old days, but today’s busy lifestyles, along with busy, crowded streets and highways require a much higher level of preparation before one gets behind the wheel and puts their foot on the accelerator. Those busy lifestyles can cause us to be distracted, and our vehicles can become deadly weapons if we are not solely focused on our driving.

But should parents teach their kids to drive? What could be more stressful for parents than trying to teach your teenager how to drive…not to mention how much pressure it puts on the student. Who can learn in that environment? Parents may be overly critical or anxious, which can affect the child’s confidence and learning experience. Maybe parents should pass a driving test of their own before showing their kids how to drive! I would be willing to bet that most parents don’t keep up with the latest change in traffic laws and local regulations.

There is no question that the professional training from a driver’s education instructor gives us the tools to be a much safer driver, especially teenage new drivers. They are knowledgeable of the most up-to-date laws and regulations that need to be adhered to when driving. Plus, they point out little things to look out for that aren’t in the manual like looking out for someone who steps off a curb, or making sure that a dog doesn’t chase a squirrel in front of you, or that a green light does NOT always mean that it’s safe to proceed, etc. Their repeated reminders of what to look out for are filed back into your brain and subconsciously jump out as reminders when you don’t know you’re even thinking about those things. Instructors know when the best time is to take the student beyond the neighborhood streets and main roads, onto the freeway or highway. This is a big step up. There can’t be any distractions such as cell phones or changing of the radio or music. So many distractions can occur…we don’t really think about the changing weather conditions having much of an impact on driving, but changes can be extremely important, depending on where you are driving. Rain, after a long drought period, can cause streets to become slick, or how to brake the car in icy conditions. Knowledge to navigate these changing road conditions is critical to being a safe driver. Drivers’ education instructors will point out the likely changes drivers will encounter in their local environment. New drivers will be more likely to absorb this information for someone in a position of authority such as the drivers’ education instructor.

Aside from the most important safety benefits, drivers’ education training may provide you with an offer of a discounted insurance premium from your insurance company. We all know how much that could help with new teen drivers. This formal training can provide you with the tools you need to avoid traffic tickets or even help prevent accidents.

In conclusion, I feel the best way to reduce traffic deaths and injuries is to have the benefit of professional instructors teaching us to drive. They provide us with the knowledge, skills and awareness to understand how important it is to effectively operate a vehicle safely. Data from studies show that drivers who complete a comprehensive driver education program are less likely to be involved in accidents, particularly teenagers who are statistically at a higher risk of crashes.

We can all use good defensive driving habits, which includes safe, law-abiding behavior and common sense, stay focused, drive cautiously, obey signs, and encourage this behavior to our friends and loved ones. If we all consistently did these things, there would be far fewer car accident fatalities and injuries every year. The practice has been popularly described as “driving as if everyone else around you on the road is drunk,” and this idea can really inspire a driver to give the road their full attention.

I am fortunate to not have been involved in any accidents, and am part of a family that has good, conscientious drivers. My parents are very good role models for me and have instilled a strong sense of responsibility in my driving habits.