The Importance of Driving Education

The Importance of Driving Education

Nowadays, most people are on their cell phones whether it is because they are answering a call, text, or on social media. Texting and Driving is a major concern because lives are being put endangered. Not only are teens putting themselves at risk to crash and get hurt, but they’re putting others around them in danger as well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving”. While those who are using their phones do not see the risk, they are constantly putting others at risk for an accident due to the carelessness of those who choose to be distracted while driving. The NHTSA ruled, “9% of drivers between the ages of 15-19 were involved in fatal crashes due to distractions at the time of the accident and 33% admit to texting while driving”. Only 9% were fatal does not mean you are safe from the risk. For instance, the incident that involved Liz Marks, a popular story of a former high school student who was Texting and Driving and lost vision in one eye and is now hard of hearing. Liz Marks said, “ I thought I was invincible.” Unfortunately, most teens think they are invincible and do not understand that their decisions have consequences. Many stories like this one happen every single day. According to the Victoria VA Advocate News Outlet, “Every single day in the United States, 11 teens are killed while texting and driving.” Using a cell phone while driving is never okay. Do not add to the problem, instead, we need to be the change the generation needs. Even though teens are victims of texting and driving, this does not exclude adults.

Sadly, when I was 4 years old my father was a victim of drunk driving and texting while driving 2 people died that day, my father and his best friend who was the passenger. Luckily, my half-brother was the sole survivor in this horrible accident. This greatly impacted our lives because we were never able to build a relationship with him because he passed away so young. I know urge my friends at parties to not drive so recklessly. I have now become the designated driver to my friends out of fear of losing someone I care about to reckless driving.

The importance of driving education in regard to reducing deaths is because education allows the opportunity to teach people about safe driving and accountability. I remember being in my driving instruction class and learning about the consequences that driving irresponsibly can lead to therefore making me more self-aware about others. There were videos on how Texting and Driving resulted in an Amish family dying as a result of someone having road rage and trying to pass a car, not knowing that an Amish cart pulled by a horse was in front. Measures we should all be taking is safe driving. This means the text can wait, the phone call can wait, the taking pictures while driving can wait. Nothing should be more important than the safety of yourself and those around you.