Name: Cecelia Hartigan
From: Medina, Minnesota
Votes: 0
The
importance of drivers ed in reducing the number deaths as a
result of driving is one of, if not the, most substantial aspects for
establishing safety on the road. Drivers ed is crucial for
drivers to obey laws, respect surrounding automobiles, and protect
themselves. Obtaining and maintaining the knowledge included in
drivers ed is largely overlooked and underwhelmed. My personal
experience with drivers ed provides an example of the faulty
attitude surrounding driver safety. Most of the students in my class
paid little to no attention, seeing as they had unlimited attempts at
passing the test for a driver permit, they saw little value in
actually learning the information. A higher intensity drivers
education course and more regular license renewals accompanied with
passing a drivers ed checkpoint should seriously be considered and
incorporated into each state. Framing driver safety with the
seriousness and priority it warrants at the government level will
translate to citizens and result in a smarter, safer, more aware
driving population at all age levels.
There
are countless steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths
related to driving on several different fronts. For one, approaching
the issue from a technical standpoint yields solutions related to the
safety features of the automobiles themselves. On the other hand,
increasing punishments for violation of driving laws could see
reduced infractions and safer behavior from drivers. Combining these
two steps, driver safety could be reinforced by combining safer
technology with severe consequences for unsafe actions. For example,
installing a feature that blocks cellphone use while driving into
automobiles and increasing the severity of punishment for cellphone
use while driving leaves little room for this behavior to remain.
Instilling into the youth the frequency of driving deaths with
seemingly harmless causes may help them push driver safety in the
right direction.
My
best friend was hit by a car while crossing the street last summer,
she broke her femur and spent the summer indoors. The driver hadn’t
been paying attention and his irresponsibility could have done much
more than break a femur. I have been rear ended and involved in
another accident. The latter was my own fault; a rule I learned
during drivers ed, never thought of again, and needed that
afternoon. These anecdotes express the flawed attitude towards
driving that exists. Driving should be taken seriously, in reality,
the opposite is generally observed.
Steps
I can take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others
become safer on the road can take many different forms. Finding
incentives to not indulge distractions while driving and suggesting
the same to my friends, who do their friends, and so on, could change
a community. Taking an initiative to test my drivers ed more
often than required. Advocating for driver safety on campus with
likeminded individuals and searching for solutions.
