Driving Safe: The Power of Driver Education

I was 17, and it was my first time behind the wheel, and I was scared and shaking. My parents said that I was old enough to start learning how to drive. My stepdad was sitting next to me in the car, he told me to keep my hands on the wheel and stay focused. As I stepped on the gas, my heart was pounding. Suddenly, a car sped by us. I tightly grabbed the wheel as I watched the car zoom past. That moment made me realize how dangerous driving is and how important it is to learn how to be a safe driver. It also made me realize how important drivers education is, not only for learning how to drive but for making sure people stay safe on the road. My parents enrolled me in drivers ed last year. The experience has completely changed the way I think about driving. I am still learning but I now understand the importance of being educated about the dangers involved and the steps I need to take to keep myself and others safe.

When I started drivers ed, my expectations were different. I thought they would just teach us how to drive, park, and pass the road test. I had no idea that there was more to driving than just knowing how to steer and use the pedals. The instructor taught us about the dangers of speeding, texting, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. These are the things I never really thought about before. I realized that it was not just about passing the test, it was about learning how to keep yourself and others safe while you’re on the road.

After spending time in drivers ed, I learned that there are over 38,000 deaths every year from car accidents, and this is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To think, a lot of these deaths are preventable, especially if these drivers were educated about the dangers and risks involved. The program can teach people more than just how to focus on making safe choices, following traffic laws, and being aware of other drivers. All of these can reduce accidents and fatalities.

I believe the government should require all drivers to undergo drivers ed and not just us teenagers. Everyone must understand the risks of reckless driving, the importance of seat belts, car seats, the use of mobile phones, and the consequences of driving under the influence. Where we live there were staggering 923 distracted-driving crashes in 2023, and 16,357 crashes with the same cause between 2011-2023, creating loss of life and minor- to-life-long injuries. A lot of accidents involve cars and motorcycles, and I’ve realized that understanding how to safely share the road with motorcyclists and other vehicles is just as important as knowing the rules of the road for cars.

Also, I think that more technology could help reduce accidents. Speed cameras, radar systems, and apps could give drivers real-time updates. If you’re speeding an app could alert you. It was discussed during my driver’s ed course that speeding is also one of the leading causes of accidents and I think having tools to prevent such could save lives.

While I’ve never been in a serious car accident myself, I have seen car wrecks on the road. I’ve seen a lot of motorcycles on the interstate speeding and cars that barely missed each other because of irresponsible driving.

Currently, I am still in the process of learning how to drive, but I know that being a safer driver starts with paying attention. I will make sure to avoid distractions like texting or looking at my phone while driving. A split second of distraction can cause an accident. I will make it a point to always wear my seatbelt, even if it’s just a 5-minute drive. Drivers ed taught me that wearing a seatbelt can make a huge difference between life and death.

While there are other factors that contribute to accidents, like the weather as well as road conditions, the way we drive has a major impact on safety. Drivers ed taught me how to make responsible choices and how to protect myself and others on the road. As I continue learning how to drive, I will do my part to be as safe as possible behind the wheel, and I hope to encourage others to do the same. Together, we can make a difference in reducing the number of accidents on the road.