Importance of Driver Education

Importance of Driver Education

The results of a car crash reach far and wide. Almost immediately there is a disturbance to those who will be affected by the crash, there is a rush of adrenaline to those involved or witness the crash and to those who don’t survive the crash, there is a flash and then nothing. Within minutes, sometimes even seconds, the victims of car crashes leave behind their job, loved ones, and the life that they used to know. Young drivers are 16% more likely to be involved in a crash if they have not completed a driver’s education course. It is important and vital to the safety of the driver and others on the road to be knowledgeable and aware of necessary driver education. Ensuring the knowledge and awareness of driver education in young drivers alone can decrease the likeliness of a crash by 16%. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 38,800 people lost their lives to car crashes in 2019. Within those 38,800 people could be a mother, father, sister, or brother. A loved one lost to a fatal car crash, that could likely be easily preventable with proper education and driving skills intact.

In order to decrease the likeliness of a fatal crash, there are steps to be taken. There could be a nation-wide increase in the number of hours of practice needed to get a driver’s license or even a driver’s permit. Another way is to highly emphasize and create a course solely dedicated to teens or novice drivers to outline the dangers of driving and crashes and the consequences associated with those. Taking this lesson that is incorporated in everyday driver’s education, and taking it to a larger scale and really focusing on it can really drill and train drivers to really understand and comprehend the dangers and consequences of getting behind the wheel. “Always be the defensive driver” my mom would always tell me this while I was learning how to drive. Enforcing defensive driving techniques and the importance of being aware of yourself and others around you can significantly decrease the slip-ups and accidents that are occurring on roadways today. Creating a distraction-free environment any and every time a driver gets out on the road will cut down the number of crashes and fatal accidents occurring. If every driver out on the road ensured that they are thoroughly educated with all of the necessary knowledge to be a safe driver, not only for themselves but for everyone around them, it would create a safer and more secure driving experience.

In order to reduce and eliminate the amount of fatal car crashes every year, there needs to be a change in educating young and novice drivers by increasing the amount of practicing hours and highlighting and emphasizing the consequences of crashes and what could happen every time someone gets behind the wheel. Motor vehicle fatality rate could fall if every driver had integrity and kept themselves accountable for distraction-free and safe driving practices.