Protecting Our Roads: Defensive and Focused Drivers Education

I backed up my car without looking too closely because the driveway is always clear. Take the turn to work without checking who is turning first because I should have the right of way, and of course the other driver will see me. Drive faster than the speed limit since I don’t want to be late. Take turns faster as well because breaking on a turn isn’t good for my car. And when I get off work I will do it again. Driving is second nature now, my car an extension of who I am and no longer the two-ton weapon my parents always said it was.

The worst part? I am considered a good driver by teen standards. Stopping all the way at stop signs (most of the time), checking blindspots, and using my turn signal. We have become too comfortable being in the protective bubble of our cars, ignoring the responsibility of each driver to keep the roadways safe for each other. A driver who does not look, drives too fast, or cuts corners puts others on the road in danger. July of last year I learned this when my friend, Rogan Murrell, died in a car accident.

A drunk driver ignored a stop sign in Spokane and broke three families in the process – killing my friend and a teenage girl, while critically injuring another teenager in the process. One mistake changed three families forever, and shook the community to its core. This was not the first car accident friends of mine have been involved in, yet it was the first that resulted in a fatality, showing me the real dangers involved in getting behind the wheel. Safe driving from everyone, teens included, ensures that everyone can get where they are going safely, protecting those we care about. With approximately 40,000 people killed in car accidents each year, the need for safety is evident. Driver’s education is the solution. By taking interest in teaching about the dangers of distracted driving and coaching in defensive driving, teens will be empowered to end preventable car accidents and protect all those sharing the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 90% of accidents are caused by human error, with distracted driving being the leading cause of teen crashes. Texting, checking social media, talking with friends, adjusting music, driving with airpods or headphones, and even eating or drinking are all distractions that prevent teen drivers from keeping the roads safe. States and local communities can implement safe driving into public health campaigns and schools. Teaching about all distractions, not just texting, can not only let young drivers know what to avoid to stay safe, but also inform them of the consequences of being caught driving irresponsibly – a strong motivator for staying safe for many.

Defensive driving, on the other hand, empowers drivers by informing them on how to react to irresponsible cars or other hazards. While driving on Highway 101 in California, I avoided an accident as a piece of furniture fell out of a truck bed. Since I was maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of me and paying attention to my surroundings, I was able to safely and quickly maneuver into an unobstructed lane without injuring myself or my passengers. Awareness of your surroundings and anticipating hazards, key tenets of defensive driving, are critical to keeping drivers safe on the road. Scanning intersections, another example of defensive driving and a habit I have picked up on over the past year, is not often included in drivers tests, but would have saved Rogan’s life. Defensive driving is safe driving.

Driver’s education is often the most accessible and informative way to learn about safe driving, teaching young and inexperienced drivers the ins and outs of safe travel. Studies from the University of Nebraska and AAA found that students who participated in driver’s education are less likely to receive a traffic violation, get injured in a car crash, or be in a vehicular accident. Intensive drivers education paired with a community focus on defensive and attentive driving creates a roadway environment that keeps all travelers safe.

For many teen drivers, it is easy to underestimate the intense obligation that comes with getting behind the wheel; driver education has the opportunity to impart the skills and sense of responsibility required of every driver. The roads are not guaranteed to be safe. Whether it is incompetent or dangerous drivers or weather conditions, there are risks to being on the road, but with the installed confidence that comes with the proper training teenage drivers can protect themselves and their loved ones – realizing the dream of safe roads for all.