Importance of Drivers Ed to Me

Driver’s education is vital to ensure that everyone on the road understands the importance following the rules. Every time I get in the car and put on my seatbelt, I am reminded of I almost lost my sister and father in a car accident that could have been avoided. When I came to, after being knocked out, to my dismay my sisters were both knocked out with blood all over them, and the steering wheel was pressed up to my father who was not conscious either. My jaws had been crushed and I woke up with the back window, and my bottom jaw was swinging, and I could not talk. The story of how we got out is a miracle alone but had the person who caused the accident adhered to the rules of the road, my family and I would not have had to experience the pain and suffering we did.

When you have the traumatic experience of a car accident, it causes you to look at the rules of the road with a greater appreciation, and you are serious about obeying them. Driver’s education is more important now because of the technology that creates distractions to us drivin safely. Not only do you have to be concerned with the rules that govern properly driving your car, but you have to teach and remind new and old drivers of the importance of not texting, using your phones or watching things within your car as you drive. I think it would even be a good idea to use simulation in some of the driving to create real scenarios and situations that can occur when you are driving on the road. There is already so much to be distracted by such as other drivers, animals, the weather, objects on the road or pedestrians, and now we have phones to add to all of this. Thousands of people die every year because of what they are doing on their phone. As I reflect on when I was taught to drive, I feel compelled to state that it will be imperative that more time and real time training has to be done with our current new driver. If I had a chance to create a curriculum for driver’s education it would include the following topics:

1. Driver’s Education – A History. It could include funny slides that showing people driving a wooly mammoth to a dinosaur, a horse, to Fred Flintstone, to some more modern cartoons…. This opens them up to learn.

2. Our Curriculum – What is going to happen over the 10 weeks of class.

3. Driving Laws – Your City, Your State

4. On the Road – In class coursework and simulation on the computer with the simulator binoculars for you to watch people driving and figure out what they are doing wrong.

5. Your Driving Environment – Being a Proactive Driver (pedestrians, animals, and other things)

6. Dying to Talk – Lessons on the rules on the road with phones. For young people being taught how to drive, it may impact them and send the message home if you use stories from your area about accidents and loss of life from texting and being on the phone. It brings it close to home. If you don’t have any you can go online and find some.

7. When I Get In The Car – Affirmations and principles of what to do when you get in the car. It has been proven that you will remember what you have “affirmed”, when the principle is challenged. You remember it. “When I Get In The Car…”:

• I will put on my seatbelt and have anyone who gets in the car with me put on their seatbelt too.

• I will connect my phone to my car, but I will only answer if I am able to safely.

• I will look around to make sure that after I start the car I am able to safely move the car.

• I will pay attention to and be aware of my surroundings

• I will drive the speed limits.

• I will drive under the influence of alcohol, and I will not let anyone get in a car to drive that is drunk.

8. Being a Responsible Driver – Review

All these topics are important and can be covered in quiet a bit of detail. I don’t think that classes should be offered “quick” or short classes, because this does not allow for the appropriate information given in a thorough and intentional way.

My experience as a victim of a car accident and the loss I have seen others experience have influenced how I drive. As an experienced driver I never take for granted that I am able to break the rules simply because I have been driving for a long time. Rules are meant to be followed always. When we think that we are above the law and the rules, is when we cause ourselves or someone else harm. I value human life so I put on my seat belt, follow the speed laws, and stay away from doing things that would cause myself or others harm. I think doing these things is the reason I have never gotten into an accident, and I am glad about that. I think anyone who intentionally follows the rules can do it too!