Importance of Driver Education in America

Lauren Cooper

Safe Driving Scholarship Essay

November 30, 2020

Importance of Driver Education in America

One of the leading causes of death in America is by car accidents. You would think in a country where driving is such an important part of everyday life that the drivers of America would work to perfect their driving by being as safe and responsible as possible. However, the education that is given to drivers before they get their license is what causes more fatal car accidents. In Georgia, it is required for everyone under the age of 18 to take a driver’s education course before they get their license as a result of Joshua’s Law. I personally took this course and it taught me many important things such as the rules of the road, how to know when something in your car needs to be checked and therefore avoiding it breaking down in the middle of traffic, and how to handle situations when you are driving in difficult weather climates such as snow, rain, what to do when hydroplaning etc. I believe that giving people the proper knowledge before they are given their license helps to prevent fatal car accidents because they are better educated and prepared for obstacles driving may give them.

One of the main causes of fatal car crashes is driving under the influence. I feel that if every person had to have a breathalyzer installed in their car, it would completely eliminate someone being able to drive with alcohol in their system because the car would not start until the breathalyzer was cleared. I had an alcoholic father and he drove my sister and I under the influence many times and was putting our lives in danger without us knowing. He had to get a breathalyzer installed and it forced him to drive more responsibly and greatly reduced the chances of getting in a severe car crash.

Some things that I personally can do to become a safer and more responsible driver is driving slower, not mess with my phone as much, and not take turns as quickly. I will be the first to admit that I drive a bit faster than I should and a few times it has almost come back to bite me. For example, one time I was driving too fast at night while taking a turn and I almost hit a deer. Hitting a deer can be the equivalent of hitting a car if it is fully grown. After this, I have been more aware of how fast I drive especially during the night. As for my phone goes, I would be able to become a safer driver if I were to get a phone holder for when I am following directions and to pick one playlist for the drive and go from there. It has always been a goal of mine to be a good driver because I want people to feel comfortable and safe when they are riding in my car and I want to continue to be the responsible driver that my family and friends expect and need me to be.