Driver Education and Reducing Driving Accidents

Anna Both

Driver Education and Reducing Driving Accidents

Driver education is very important in teaching drivers about the dangers of various driving practices and giving them tips that they can implement to make them safer drivers. Driver education is important in reducing the number of deaths caused by car accidents because it equips drivers to be prepared for the worst while also teaching them how to avoid accidents. Driver education drills into drivers that they must stay alert because it only takes a couple distracted seconds to cause an accident. However, if the drivers are alert, then even if another driver makes a bad decision, they may be able to prevent an accident by responding wisely right away. For example, if a driver slams his brakes and comes to a stop very quickly, the car behind him may run into his car. However, if the car behind him realizes what is happening and also comes to a quick stop or is able to change lanes to avoid running into the car, then the accident was avoided as a result of the second driver’s alertness. Examples like this make one realize that it is not just drunk or high drivers who get into accidents. Something as simple as braking too quickly when there is a car behind yours can cause an accident. Driver education prompts drivers to have such realizations, which then helps them to be safer, more aware drivers. On the other side of the issue, driver education equips drivers to help prevent accidents. Going back to my example, driver education would warn against braking hard whenever it can be avoided. While many people who have not had driver education have at least basic understanding of why drunk or high driving causes accidents, they are much less likely to realize the dangers of some driving practices that are unrelated to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The more drivers are aware of the dangers of various driving practices, the more they will avoid them. Thus, the more educated the driving population is about the potential dangers of driving practices, the fewer accidents there will be. The fewer the accidents, the fewer the deaths caused by driving. Therefore, driving education plays an integral role in reducing the number of deaths caused by driving by prompting drivers to understand the dangers of various driving practices and providing tips to help avoid accidents.

There are several steps that can be taken to reduce driving related deaths and accidents in general. First, drivers should not drive while drunk or high. Alcohol and drugs impair one’s ability to think and react wisely and in a timely manner. Speed of reaction is essential for avoiding accidents or at least limiting the damage of the accident. If one is drunk or high and cannot make the necessary assessment of the situation in a timely manner, then he or she is very unlikely to take the steps necessary to avoid an accident. Additionally, drivers should not use their phones while driving. Picking up a phone, even for just a couple of seconds can result in you accidently turning the wheel and driving off the road or into another car. It could also prevent you from seeing a developing situation ahead of you that may turn into an accident if you are not careful. If you are looking at your phone rather than the road, then you will not be able to make that assessment and react to the situation in time to avoid the accident. Thirdly, drivers must follow the speed limit. As driver education points out, speeding does not result in much of a time difference in reaching your destination. However, it can make a big difference in preventing accidents entirely or at least in reducing their severity. The faster cars are going when they collide, the worse the accident will be. Furthermore, the faster cars are going, the less time the driver has to make decisions about how to avoid potential accidents. If you exceed the speed limit, you are exceeding the speed that has been deemed the maximum safe speed for that road at which you will still likely have reasonable time to react to potential accidents, so, by speeding, you are greatly increasing the likelihood of causing or being part of an accident. Therefore, if cars travel at or below the speed limit, they will be less likely to cause accidents. Finally, completion of a driver education course should be a requirement in all states for getting a driver’s license. As the last paragraph explained, driver education plays a very important role in reducing deaths caused by driving. Furthermore, driver ed reinforces the other steps I just mentioned. Consequently, if driver education courses are required in all states, then there would likely be a decrease in driver related deaths. If these steps are taken by all drivers, then the quantity of accidents and deaths caused by driving will be greatly reduced.

Personally, I have not been involved in an accident, and all my family members are responsible drivers. However, some of the people I know from school do not drive responsibly. They say they drive over a hundred miles per hour on highways! This speed means in some sections they are traveling at double the speed limit. Like many teen drivers, they do not expect to get into an accident. Even if they are “good” drivers (apart from speeding) they are still greatly and unnecessarily increasing their risk, and putting those around them at higher risk, by driving so fast. With minimal adverse effect on them, they would contribute to improving the safety of driving on Georgia roads if they began following the speed limit.

There are a several ways that I can personally work on becoming a better driver. Firstly, I can intentionally and consistently evaluate my driving practices to identify any that may cause a problem on the road and then stop those habits. I will follow the steps discussed previously to remain a safe and alert driver. Finally, I can help make roads more safe to drive on by sharing what I learned from driver education with others. By relaying the helpful tips and warnings I learned in driver education to those I know, even if they have not taken a driver education course, they can still alter their practices in light of the lessons that I share with them. I remember talking to a friend about speeding sometime after I finished my driver education course. The course had shown me mathematically how little time is saved by speeding. I told my friend the numbers given in the course, and we talked about how, especially in light of that information, it just makes no sense to speed. Not only is it dangerous and unlawful, but there is no great benefit from speeding either. Having more conversations like that one I had with my friend can help spread awareness of the dangers of bad driving practices and encourage others to drive more safely.