The Importance of Driver Education

The importance of driver education is very important, especially in present times with the many distractions we have while on the road. Educated drivers can prevent being in a car accident or even causing one. According to Rothwell, Charles J. “Products – Data Briefs – Number 37 – May 2010.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Nov. 2015, www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db37.htm. Motor vehicle fatalities are the number one accident deaths among teenagers in the US. The reasons for these accidents are usually from lack of experience and distracted driving according to Staver, Jared. “7 Reasons for Teen Car Accidents.” Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., 14 July 2020, www.chicagolawyer.com/blog/7-reasons-for-teen-car-accidents/.

Some ways to reduce the number of vehicle related deaths are to emphasize the importance of speed limits, limit on-road distractions such as talking on the cell phone or texting, and improve self control or limit the temptation of speeding and racing on the road. There are many obstacles already in place to try and prevent these. On many Iphones, the device recognizes your speed as a car’s conventional speed and blocks the driver from using their phone. There are also older vehicles on the street with a speed governor, this is used to limit the vehicles speed, usually under 100 mph, as stated by Eblin, Jennifer. “How to Get Rid of the Governor on a Car.” It Still Runs, 10 Jan. 2019, itstillruns.com/rid-governor-car-4617722.html.

My mom, being a self employed realtor, is constantly checking her phone while driving for house addresses, emails, texts, etc. This is an example of distracted driving. Many people check their gps while driving as well. Gps’ can sometimes be dangerous. Anything that prevents you from watching the road is considered a distraction and can potentially be dangerous.

As a teen, and new driver myself, I can help be a safer driver by staying away from the teen norms while driving. Teenage drivers sometimes fall into the certain temptation to use their cellphones, speed, street race, and just drive carelessly. As a passenger, I can encourage the driver to stay focused on the road and give all their attention to staying safe.

In conclusion, driver safety and driver education is very important in terms of saving lives and keeping harm from others. A few ways we can prevent more crashes are to pay attention to the laws of the road more and reduce on road distractions. Even as a passenger you can make a difference and help keep the roads safer for everybody by encouraging the driver to reduce their distractions and help keep them focused.