From Mario Kart to Real Roads: Why Drivers Ed Really Matters

If I had a dollar for every time anyone yelled “Slow down! ” While playing Mario Kart, I would have this scholarship in the bag already. The difference is that in real life, there’s no respawning after your car crashes—and banana peels don’t slide safely onto the highway. Driver’s education isn’t about which pedal is the gas or infuriating parallel parking; it’s the millions of lives that can be saved. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over 42,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2022 alone.

It is not just a number; it is a call to action. I’ll never forget the countless occurrences of accidents I have faced in my entire life. From texting and driving, speeding tickets, roundabouts, and even under the influence, each accident has shown me why it’s not just about passing a test; it’s about absorbing lessons that last longer than the ink on your license. Driver’s Ed helps bridge that gap between fun and responsibility. Reducing accidents doesn’t require reinventing the wheel but following the basics. Wearing seatbelts, for example, cuts the risk of death by 45% for front-seat passengers. The road requires your full attention, not your fingers or eyes scrolling between TikTok and Instagram. Another rule… let’s normalize refreshers that many drivers desperately need. Just because someone passed their test in 2005 doesn’t mean they know the modern-day rules. In the same way, we can update our phones; why not our driving skills? According to the CDC, graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems, which include education and restrictions for new drivers, have reduced teen crashes by up to 50%.

Another important thing driver’s ed makes a person aware of is the responsibility we all have towards others on the road. It is easy to believe driving is a singular, individual act, but every decision made at the wheel involves not just ourselves, but pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. Any moment of distraction or impatience can ripple out and transform into life-altering consequences for people we’ve never met. There have been many times while watching the news that I’ve seen families lose loved ones daily because someone was checking their text. This blunt realization that no text, call, or dm is worth any life. Driving school doesn’t just teach you how to handle a vehicle; it creates empathy and awareness. It builds our mentality that safety becomes second nature; not because we are afraid of getting a ticket or breaking the law, but because we care about the lives around us. When I try to get behind the wheel, my obvious goal is to reach my destination. I’m also aware of the parents behind the wheel, driving their kids home from school, the elderly couples crossing the street, and the many new drivers who are just as anxious as I was. We all share the same stricken road, which becomes a shared responsibility. We must internalize that so we can progress into safe drivers and communities.

I went to driving school and let me say it was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. The teachers and instructors led by example and were always a helping hand when needed. I’ve also gained knowledge on the road and discovered information I’ve never heard; For example, did you know that 20% of Teens Get Into an Accident Their First Year Driving? That is insane. It is a statistic that I don’t want to be a part of and am making sure to break. But if we’re getting serious, have I gotten my license… no not exactly but that’s another story for another day. Until then, I’ve become the friend who nags everyone to buckle up, check their mirrors, and importantly drive sober. They call me the “ Mom,” of our friend group, and so be it. I’d rather be annoyed than attend a preventable funeral. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving claims over 10,000 lives annually. Small talks and interventions like refusing to let a friend drive drunk make big differences.

Driver’s Ed is about internalizing values. It’s about recognizing that every trip, no matter how short, matters. We should turn caution into second nature and teach future drivers that it’s the law of the road. So, whether you’re dodging banana peels in Mario Kart or mailboxes in real life, remember this: driving isn’t a game and you don’t want to learn that lesson the hard way.