A Crisis Averted: How Education May Spare A Generation

Every profession has a necessary education level. After all, who would want to be operated on by an inexperienced surgeon? Or have their car repaired by an unknowing amatuear? Or be rescued by a delinquent firefighter? On the same note, why would there be millions of drivers with no experience whatsoever? Why should life-or-death decisions be made by ignorant individuals? This is the case for driver’s education. For as much as heart surgery shouldn’t be performed by children, so too should society restrict ignorance on its roads. And yet every year, this very experience of insanity plays out. Those with little to no experience march onto the roads: completely certified by our modern American system. The results are devastating.

Thirty-six thousand people died on American roads last year. Almost 3,000 of those fatalities were teenagers. There is much to be said about these numbers — from more restrictive driving laws to raising the driving age itself. Nevertheless, these numbers would be significantly higher without the use of driver education — cementing its importance in creating safe drivers. Take the case of India, in which there is little formal education on traffic laws or vehicle operation. In a country that accounts for roughly 2% of the world’s vehicles, upwards of 11% of the world’s fatal traffic accidents occur. This mortality rate is over double that found in the United States — a nation in which driver’s education is mandatory. The conclusion is that driver’s education is paramount to reducing fatalities. And with this in mind, it appears that more rigorous driver’s education would be a possible way to reduce the number of deaths on America’s roads. Longer “Behind-The-Wheel” instructional periods, more emphasis on laws and regulations, and a greater understanding of horrific crashes are all ways of reducing traffic fatalities. Education will lead the way. Yet, education cannot function single-handedly. The most educated people can still make unwise decisions. This is where legal consequences come in.

Imagine driving on a road, knowing that any action taken has no consequence. Opportunistic, no? Many unwise actions can be done, as all rules seem waived. Yet, these decisions can be avoided — and not just through a better education system. What if this scenario were critiqued? Imagine driving on a road, knowing that consequences for illegal actions while driving could land you in jail, give you a hefty fine, or both? What are your chances of driving recklessly? Very much diminished, I would guess. And so is the case for further regulations and restrictions on driving. With drivers always conscious of the possible reprimands for their actions, they will behave safer. Such is the case seen in Japan — a country where road fatality rates have been consistently falling throughout the decade. New fines upward of ¥50,000 for unruly cyclists and jail terms for individuals driving with only 0.03% blood alcohol content have drastically decreased death rates. Applying this concept to another developed nation — especially one as in need of reform as the United States — may eventually save lives. The concept is the same idea as a child placed near a cookie jar that’s in front of a parent. Will the child grab the cookie? Presumably not. In the same way, a new “parent” for drivers must be constructed. Signs regarding punishments for driving must be well kept up on all roads. Speed trackers should be deployed more frequently. Stricter enforcement should be observed. In the end, not all actions will be stopped. No, not all humans will play by the rules. However, less recklessness and fatalities are still an accomplishment for us all. And the only way to get there is through more comprehensive driver’s education — an education focusing on the rules, the consequences, and everything in between. We will save an entire generation: and all through a few hours of education.