The Importance of being a Safe and Educated Driver

The
importance of drivers ed is pinnacle because it helps to
formulate the way teenagers and young adults view driving. Which is
why it is important to educate the people in our age group of both
the negative and positive aspects of driving, which could potentially
save their life one day. For example, “ One of five sixteen year
olds will be in a car crash.” “During the first six months and
the first one thousand miles of driving, crash risk is the highest it
will be in their lifetime.” “Although young drivers only
represent thirteen percent of all licensed drivers, they cause twenty
eight percent of all car accidents and twenty four percent of all
fatal crashes.” Even though these statistics are scary, it is
important to be aware of them and other statistics like this.
However, there is good news, there is a way to combat the absence of
knowledge, through a “combination of practice and gradual exposure
to driving and gradually easing into higher risk driving situations
like night time driving, driving with other teens in the car and of
mindful parental supervision.” This way the young and novice driver
will slowly developed her or his skills over time. Sometimes however,
it would not be enough to escape the inevitability of a car accident,
even from the most experienced. I have been on three car accidents
one with my mom, a family friend and grandfather. Even though I was a
baby when the car accident occurred with my mom. I remember the other
two. In the one with my grandfather he rear ended her. However
everyone was okay which is what counts. In the one with a family
friend, a woman ran into the side of our car which resulted in the
car being totalled. Everyone was okay but, the reason for the
accident was that the other woman was fatigued and it led to her not
seeing us. Looking back on those accidents, it has taught to be a
more responsible and careful driver and to be extra mindful of my
surroundings. The steps I can take to be a better and safe driver for
myself and others is by following the law and setting a few ground
rules. For example, having no tolerance for cellphone use if I am
the one driving, no driving while intoxicated, not driving past a
certain time of night, especially on a school night, staying cautious
and being aware of my surroundings, and finally wearing a seatbelt.
Looking back on what I know about driving thus far I understand that
is can be both fun and exciting however it can be dangerous and a
little scary. Which is why it is important to educate new and
inexperienced drivers along with the established drivers of the risk
and what it is worth.