Drivers Education Essay

Driver education gives you knowledge on handling your car safely. Knowledge is crucial in everything. If you don’t know how to peel a banana, you’ll probably end up smashing it before you get the fruit out. The same scenario applies to driving. In the Accident Analysis and Prevention journal it reports that, “ Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident” A Drivers Ed course teaches you the safest way to operate a vehicle; it is the foundation for good driving. After taking my course, I was able to properly understand road signs, safely change lanes, turn and enter/exit roadways. I was given a brief tutorial on vehicle maintenance, instructed on basic vehicle safety, and equipped with proper strategies for emergencies. I now have the knowledge on how to properly handle my vehicle.

However, having the knowledge to operate the car does not guarantee that you will be a safe driver. Hence, Drivers Ed also informs you on the risks of the road and the dangers of distractions. Easton Corbin (a country music singer) has a song called “All Over the Road” with the lyrics:

I know I’m all over the road

I can’t help but go

A little bit of left, a little bit of right

It’s hard to drive with her hand over here on my knee

When she’s all over me, I’m all outta control

All over the road

This is a perfect example of being irresponsible with your driving. Focus; do not become distracted! Make sure you’re not impaired, by either alcohol, drugs, passengers or lack of sleep. Be prepared for distracted drivers, keep your eyes peeled. When a soldier goes into enemy occupied territory, they are prepared for danger (or should be). It is the same when you’re on the road. The soldier checks that their gun is working before entering the territory. Check that your vehicle is in working order. This includes your brakes, your windshield wipers, turn signals, and lights. Windows and mirrors should be clean. Four properly inflated tires should be supporting your vehicle. By listening to these simple steps, the number of deaths related to driving would be reduced.

Everyone should have the desire to be better. Here is some quick rules and advice that, if followed, would make you a better, safer driver. Before putting the car in gear, attach your seatbelt, adjust seat and mirrors, pick a radio channel and temperature. After you enter the road, you should not fiddle with the radio again. The radio is one of the most common distractions that can cause crashes. If you have passengers in the car, demand they buckle. Obey the speed limit; when there is bad weather drive slower and turn on headlights. Remember that speeding to get to work is not worth the crash. A corpse never made it on time to work. Use your turn signals; they explain your intent to the driver behind you. Begin to brake at least 150 feet before stop sign. Add more feet to this number if road is wet or icy. When fully stopped, look left, then right, then left again; turn or cross when there is no danger of being wham sauced. Be attentive to stupid, or preoccupied, drivers; they can go through a red light just as easy they can go through a green one. A cautious driver is the safest driver. Listening and obeying this advice will significantly help you become the better driver.