The Importance of Driver Education

Car accidents can be a traumatic and devastating event that occurs in many Americans’ lives. Many times, these accidents could have been avoided if the drivers involved practiced safe driving techniques. The need for safe driver intuition is crucial if we want to encourage a safe driving experience in America.

The need for driver education is extremely important in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. Drivers must be able to make quick and efficient decisions while on the road. Many of these decisions come naturally as a result of hours of practice in the driver’s seat. The need for driver skill is necessary to operate a motor vehicle efficiently and safely. A driver who is not confident while driving is a dangerous driver. They put themselves and other drivers at risk every time they drive on the road. The solution to the lack of skill of new drivers is to participate in a driver’s education course designed to make more confident drivers who are able to operate a motor vehicle safely. By gaining knowledge and experience in a controlled environment, new drivers will be able to gain trust in their driving abilities and reduce the risk of an accident due to inexperience.

There are many steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. One such step is to always wear one’s seat belt. One common mistake in young drivers is the lack of use of a car’s seat belt. The seat belt is a system designed to keep the driver safe in the event of a crash. Failure to use the seat belt properly, or at all, will significantly risk the driver’s life in an accident. Another step that the driver can take is to stow all electronic devices away in out of sight locations. Distracted driving is a major cause of fatalities in motor vehicles. This problem can easily be solved by removing all distractions entirely, especially smartphones. Another step that a driver can take to safely operate their vehicle is to properly maintain the various components of their vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to: wiper blade replacement, alignments, and tire replacement. During heavy rain, the car’s wiper blades provide the driver with increased vision as they drive the roads. Without adequate wiper blades, the driver will not be able to see properly out of their windshield, thus causing a hindrance to their driving ability. A vehicle with properly aligned steering allows the driver to maneuver his or her vehicle with the most precision possible. Vehicles that lack proper alignment risk the driver to drive uncontrollably on the road which puts other drivers at risk. Lastly, tire replacement when the tires have become worn or weathered is crucial for the driver to maintain control in heavy weather. Tires that do not have sufficient tread are unable to displace water away from the contact area of the tire causing the tire to hydroplane. When a vehicle hydroplanes, the driver is unable to steer the vehicle on the road which puts the driver and other drivers in danger of collisions.

The need for driver education is important for me because I myself have been in a serious car crash. I was operating the vehicle that crashed, and I was the only person involved in the accident. I live in a rural Texas town where there are many two lane roads that wind through dark areas with towering trees on either side of the asphalt roads. As I was driving home one night in heavy rain, my truck hydroplaned on an uphill road, and I steered into the opposite lane where I then struck a tree. Luckily, I came out of the vehicle unharmed, but I couldn’t help but think what might have happened if there was an oncoming vehicle in the other lane. Then, I would have put myself and another driver at risk of death due to tires that had very little tread. My accident could have been avoided if I maintained my vehicle properly with new tires regularly. From my experience, I gained a valuable lesson to driver safety and wish upon everyone to know proper driver safety.

Every driver needs to equip themselves with proper safety techniques so that they can become safe drivers on the road. One step that all drivers can make is to vow to follow state and federal laws regarding roads and vehicle safety. The driver has the ability to keep him or herself safe as well as those in the vehicle. One tip for those who are in the passenger seat is to alert the driver if they are being unsafe while driving. This can include turning down the radio, or reminding them to put on their seatbelt regardless of how far they are traveling.

The combination of proper vehicle maintenance and safe driving practices will create a safer environment on American roads. It takes a nationwide attitude to follow safe driving practices in order to reduce the fatalities on the road. That is why we as a nation must come together to make safe driving a priority every time we drive on the road.