Driver Education: Demonstrate, Disseminate, and Celebrate!

During my freshman year, two brothers who attended my high school were involved in a car accident. One of the brothers was killed. The news of this accident shocked our school community and made a lasting impression on me. Last month, my 16-year-old cousin was killed in a car accident. This really hit our family pretty hard. The grief and sadness caused by these deaths is unimaginable. The worst part is that these accidents could have been prevented.

Driving a car is a huge responsibility. Driver education is an essential part of learning the importance of being a safe driver and reducing the number of deaths related to driving. Knowing and following the rules of the road, how to operated the safety features in your vehicle, and what to do in an emergency can help to save lives. Something as simple as wearing your seatbelt can be the difference between life, serious injury, or death in an accident. Keeping your car properly maintained with oil checks, rotating and checking the air balance in your tires, and making sure your headlights, hazards, and turn signals work are important as well.

There are many things we can do to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Keeping distractions to a minimum are important as well. Not using your cell phone while driving as tempting as this may be is an important step you can take to be a better and safer driver. Wait until you get to your destination or a safe place to pull over before checking your texts or making a phone call. Remember it is illegal to use your cell phone while driving. Be a good example to your friends and family by modeling this good behavior. Do not be afraid to point out bad driving habits or situations to others when you see it. It is important to help educate others to be better drivers, too. You can organize a safe driving course at your high school, invite law enforcement and driving instructors, and help educate others on the importance of driver education. You can help save lives.

Being aware of your surroundings at all times is also incredibly important. Pay attention! Remember there are blind spots in all vehicles. Be sure to check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing lanes so that you do not accidentally run into an oncoming car or hit a bicyclist. Pay attention to speed limits and always drive at safe speeds. Depending on weather conditions and visibility, sometimes you may have to drive under the speed limit. You also want to keep your windows clean to ensure the best visibility.

There are many reasons why there is mandatory drivers education before getting your driver’s license in California. This is to teach you the rules of the road, traffic laws, and how to operate your vehicle. If you are under 18 years old, you must have 6 hours of professional, licensed driver training and 50 hours of driving practice. Then you will have to take a behind-the-wheel driver’s test to ensure you have learned the lessons in driver education and know how to drive safely.

Fortunately, I have not been in a car accident. But far too often, I have witnessed my friends and family members driving irresponsibly. They text while driving, try to make a phone call while driving, or drive way over the speed limit. It is frightening how many close calls I have seen. Recently, a friend of mine was in a scary car accident. His car hit a tree, caught fire, and exploded. Understanding the reality of following the rules and adhering to what we learned in driver education can be the difference between life and death. These rules and laws are in place to save lives.

So buckle up, slow down, look both ways, follow the rules of the road, and drive safely. Maintain your car properly, check your tires, and change your oil. Driver instruction is there to educate you, make you a safe driver, and, ultimately, protect you and others. It is a proven fact; driver education saves lives. It is our moral obligation to pass on what we have learned to others. Remember driving a car is a luxury. It helps to get us where we are going faster. We can keep each other safe and save lives while doing it. So let’s demonstrate what we learn in driver education, disseminate the knowledge to our friends and family, and celebrate saving lives through promoting driver education.