Driver Education Initiative

Driver Education Initiative Award- Annual Scholarship Opportunity

Driver education equips student drivers with the important lessons that they can use to ensure the road safety of all road users. Such lessons include taking proper care of speed limit, being attentive on the road, avoiding the consumption of illegal substances such as the use of alcoholic beverages or driving while high. Lack of knowledge on the areas pinpointed above increases the likelihood of fatal consequences while driving. Driver education teaches one how to make a proper stop or turn, to put on indicators when you are about to turn, how to park even in areas where there is minimal parking space, and how to overtake safely. It also equips student drivers with the knowledge on how to co-exist on the road with other users. Further, driver education focuses on the road rules that need to be observed and creates awareness on what constitutes traffic offenses or violation of road rules.

The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving include observing all road signs, driving on the correct lanes, ensuring that you are competent and have been certified to drive. It is important to ensure that you do not exceed the speed limit, especially in road areas where there is a prescribed speed limit. At all times when driving, it is important to ensure that you have a seatbelt on and all the passengers have theirs on as well. Driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or substance that may lead to impaired judgment is disallowed. The most important step of ensuring road safety is the use of a safety belt while driving. According to information on the “Tips for Driving More Safely” website, the correct way to wear the belt is to ensure that it fits lows and across the pelvis and not the stomach area. To achieve a perfect fit, one is taught how to adjust the lap belt. The proper use of the safety belt ensures that one is secure behind the steering wheel and so are the other passengers in the car. In the event an accident occurs, it minimizes the physical or bodily harm that would otherwise have led to permanent impairment or death since the belt holds one securely in place.

Yes, I have ever seen friends get involved in a grisly accident because the driver, a friend too, was drunk driving at a very high speed and lost control.

The steps that I can take to be a better and safer driver is first to ensure that I have my safety belt on at all times properly secured. Further, I will ensure that I keep abreast with all the new developments in terms of road rules and measures that have been introduced to reduce car accidents. I will also ensure that I am sober and alert at all times when I am driving. I will not drive at life-threatening speeds even when I am late. I will ensure that I observe all the road rules and be responsible enough to let other road users including cyclists and pedestrians use the road.