Drivers’ Education

“Driving is a privilege, not a skill,” a sentence that was instilled in me during my driving school period. This is said to inform everyone that they have a right to drive, however, it can be taken away if it is taken for granted. Drivers’ education is important for the development of gaining an understanding of the rules and regulations of the roads for new drivers to encourage safe driving practices. For example, the meaning of road signs, speed limits, and right of way of the roads, are taught to ensure that when driving, the drivers know how to drive safely, hence, decreasing the chances of getting into a car accident. This reduces the likelihood of being the cause of a car accident. I have never experienced a car crash, but my mother did. According to my mother, she was in a taxi driving on a two-way street when another vehicle, behind them, tried to overtake them. At that moment, another car was approaching from the other direction while the car was still trying to overtake my mother’s taxi. The two cars collided and hit the taxi my mother was in. Thankfully she is still alive, and she inflicted no vital injuries from the accident.

Also, drunk driving is the fastest way to get your driving privileges and your life taken away. Alcohol decreases a person’s awareness which interferes with their decision-making skills and reaction time. This situation is one of the most common reasons for car crashes in the United States. In my high school, some previous years before I became a high school senior, there was a car accident involving some kids from my school. Four highschoolers were driving to school during prom night and the driver was under the influence of alcohol. This caused them to collide with another car in an intersection near the school. One out of the four kids died, and the one survivor was heavily injured and had to be taken to the nearest hospital via helicopter. The parents of the kids were devastated, as well as our school and community. I mention this story to send a message to young drivers and new drivers, like me, that driving under the influence is not cool or funny and is seriously dangerous for everyone in the environment.

That situation could have been avoided if the driver was more responsible in knowing that there were more places they had to drive to and that they could get a DUI (Driving Under the Influence). In addition, they were underage drinking which is illegal. In California it is illegal for individuals under the age of 21 to drive with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) equal to or over 0.08% which would earn someone a DUI. This could land you in jail and get your license suspended for a couple of months. In drivers’ education, the consequences of breaking the rules are explained to students. This lets them know that there are punishments for breaking rules that could lead to a license suspension and possible jail time. It helps students understand their boundaries and that they are responsible for their decision to drive under the influence which decreases the chance of irresponsible driving.

Some steps that I can take to become a safer driver are to review my driver’s handbook and quiz myself on the rules and regulations of the roads to help me learn through recollection, identify my weak areas, and reinforce what I already know. I also ask experienced drivers questions in areas that I don’t understand, like my parents, and practice driving with an experienced driver in my presence. All these strategies are what I use to develop my defensive driving practices so that I will be shaped into a responsible, safe and educated driver. In addition, explaining the areas that are difficult to understand to those that don’t understand is a way I can help others become safer drivers. Furthermore, suggesting ways that others can efficiently learn the rules and regulations of the road by, for example, using some of my strategies, like finding online quizzes, is another way I can contribute to their safety on the roads.

Some advice I will give to new drivers would be to stay alert and always look far ahead of the road, be aware of the street signs and speed limits, and practice defensive driving. If all is practiced, you will help keep yourself and the people in your environment safer because trying to look cool by neglecting the safety rules is not worth throwing away your driving privileges, and possibly your life, by doing something insensible.