Driver Education

There are almost 300 million cars on roads in the US today. These cars cause more than 5 million accidents across the nation on a yearly basis. This equates to about 1 car accident every 60 seconds. From these accidents, about 38 thousand people die every year. How can we counteract America’s car crash epidemic? Education.

Driver education consists of two parts; classroom training and hands-on application. Both are important. Studies show that students who take driver ed are less likely to get in a car crash, and additionally they are less likely to be involved in an accident that causes injury or death. Also, they are much less likely to receive a ticket for traffic violations. How does education impact these results?

Driver education teaches students the consequences of unsafe or unlawful driving techniques. It also gives students personal responsibility, both for the vehicle they are operating and the outcomes of their actions. They are taught the rules of the road and tested (both in classroom and in-car) on this information, which requires students to retain and apply the information. All of this knowledge and experience can help avoid fatal consequences.

The world is constantly changing and developing, and therefore so should driver education. The top causes of collisions today are distractions, fatigue, and drug or alcohol impairment. Distracted driving, between texting, calling, loud music, eating, daydreaming, and more is the top reason for car crashes. Driver education must evolve to reflect current habits of drivers based on research. For example, applied research changed where drivers should put their hands on the wheel. Likewise, today it is important to reinforce the importance of paying attention to the road at all times. Don’t text and drive! Drivers should not do their last minute makeup, eat McDonalds, or call their best friend from behind the wheel. Never drive under the influence. Take a taxi, an uber, a lift, or get a ride. It is not worth the risk.

How do we ensure students understand the importance of focusing on the road? Maybe spend more time testing on irrelevant and unusual rules and instead focus more real-world consequences related to distracted driving. Put in place a simulation exercise to help students understand the impact on their reaction time when distracted or under the influence. Recognizing the impact of distracted driving could reduce driving related deaths.

I began driver education at the age fifteen and a half. I was eager to complete the class, pass my test, receive my license, and experience my newfound freedom. I paid attention in class, and took notes. But to be honest, I never truly thought the information I was learning would apply to my real life. I was wrong.

One day my car would not start. I had left my light on and my battery was dead. This was a classic teenage driver move. I frantically called my mom and my dad but no one picked up. I soon collected myself and racked my brain to figure out what I already knew. I soon remembered that I did know how to jumpstart a car. I found a friend with a car and cables and used my knowledge and my resources to jump my car. It worked perfectly, and my car was up and running in no time. Without driver’s education, I would have panicked and continued to be upset and frustrated because I did not know what to do. Thankfully, the knowledge gained offered me a solution and helped keep me calm.

A few months after I received my license I took a defensive driving course. It was challenging to want to go to this course because it was two hours away and took place on a Saturday morning. But my mom insisted and we did it together. Over the course of four hours we did various drills that taught collision avoidance techniques, loss of control recovery skills and bad weather maneuvers. We repeatedly practiced emergency lane changes, wet braking, and skid car drills. That hands-on experience increased my confidence in situations I can’t predict. I was terrified of hydroplaning, but now I know exactly what to do in that situation and in the future I will not panic. This course prepared me for dangerous real world situations by exposing me to similar circumstances in a safe learning environment. When I have found myself skidding on snow, this course gives me confidence to know what to do. Taking more hands-on drivers education courses like this one is just one way that you can become a safer driver.

The final thing that you can do to help others become safer on the road is to hold drivers accountable. When in the passenger seat, be helpful. Set the directions on your phone and tell them where to go. If they pick up their phone to text, you text for them. Furthermore, if they are eating and driving, tell them to wait until you get to your destination. If they make an unsafe maneuver, don’t laugh at them but instead let them know there is a safer way. Remind them to put their seatbelt on. While I know it may be difficult to hold those you love accountable for their unsafe driving, remember that it is worth it. Not only could you save their life, you could also save your life or the lives of strangers. This constructive coaching and assistance is invaluable and certainly outweighs the discomfort.

Works Cited

Carlier, Mathilde. “Number of Cars in U.S.” Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/183505/number-of-vehicles-in-the-united-states-since-1990/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2021.

Console, Richard, Jr. “The Most Common Causes of Collision.” The National Law Review, https://www.natlawreview.com/article/most-common-causes-collision. Accessed 10 Nov. 2021.

Team of Legal Authors. “How Many Car Accidents Occur in the U.S. Each Year?” 1-800-THE-LAW2, 3 Nov. 2020, https://www.1800thelaw2.com/resources/vehicle-accident/how-many-accidents-us/.