Drivers Education: a Consistent Guidance Course

Drivers Education: a Consistent Guidance Course

Drivers education is important in teaching the basics of what’s required of a driver and what to expect. Depending on what type of course you utilize it can also prepare young pupils for firsthand driving experience, if they aren’t already being taught at home. My personal experience with driver’s education was through a class that was offered at my high school my senior year. It was a great tool because it was free through the public-school system and it was taught early mornings before school started. What was missing from this course was the hands-on driving experience. As some certifications are required to be a driving instructor, this puts limitations on what the public-school system can offer. Not all can afford driving school for their children.

My driving experience came from occasional trips with my parents to the grocery store or fast food restaurant at the age of 17. I had no previous experience with learning to drive, so this made me super anxious every time I drove. I wasn’t able to receive my license until I turned 18, so once I started driving it was unmonitored. I’m sure that my experience was not a unique one which makes me wonder… does drivers education truly prepare every young driver?

Now, at the age of 25, I hardly remember what was taught in that early morning class that I was barely awake for. There have been things over the years that I learned from passengers correcting me versus knowing before I got behind the wheel. After receiving a parking ticket and having to attend driving school I felt I learned more than I had probably in high school. As we grow older our minds forget the seemingly “unimportant” information. Some may feel driving laws fall under that category. So why is it not required to attend a refresher whenever we renew our licenses?

In my personal experience as a server I have to get my serving license renewed every 3 years. The main theme within the class is how to serve customers responsibly and to recognize signs of intoxication. This is to prevent drunk driving as well as personal responsibility for people’s reckless actions. Failure to serve responsibly can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and loss of license. That’s not including the fine on the establishment and potential lawsuits. Such importance is placed on serving responsibly, yet the people making decisions behind the wheel don’t have to take a class on drinking responsibly (unless in DWI/DUI cases).

I feel that all states need to have a set amount of time that they require people to renew their license. I also feel that in order to renew they need to attend driving education classes. This can help refresh people’s memories on updated laws and also weed out those who probably shouldn’t be driving any longer. Not to mention inform those who are moving from states with different driving laws.

I personally have been in two “fender benders” where I rear ended someone. I was 19 and had a habit of tail gating the people in front of me. I was always in a rush and had no patience for traffic which resulted in an accident. After two non-serious fenders benders I started having nightmares about potential serious car accidents. This began to make me see the importance of safe driving.

One way situations like this could be prevented is by utilizing internet gags in our favor. I’m talking about the YouTube video “peaceful drive.” Most millennials will probably know the video I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t I’ll explain before you google it and give yourself a fright. It’s a short YouTube video where you see a vehicle driving down a green hill with peaceful music playing in the background and nearly at the end a zombie looking creature pops up screaming into the screen. Making your friends watch this at full volume was a favorite prank. Let’s reimagine this trick to our favor as a simulated car accident. If every driver’s education program required a video intermission to experience a simulated accident with headphones I think this would be affecting in making cautious drivers.

Some ways I have made my driving safer is by utilizing smart car devices when it comes to changing music on my phone. I also have a cellphone holder attached to my dash so that I am handsfree and my phone is in sight if I need to utilize maps. I also utilize Siri to voice text or call people when necessary. I always check over my shoulder on the freeway as there’s been many times I’ve almost been run off the road by drivers that don’t check their blind spot.

Drivers education has proven to be a useful tool in teaching young drivers. It’s also a great refresher for adults who feel laws come second to their needs. Drivers education can mean the difference between someone taking careless shortcuts or realizing the importance of following the law.

Resources:

http://rld.state.nm.us/abc/Fees_and_Penalties.aspx