Education Over All

Education Over All

Driver education is essential to reduce the number of deaths in driving accidents. “In 2008, approximately 1 in 6 fatal vehicle collisions resulted from a driver being distracted while driving.” (Wilson et al). One in six is dangerously high, showing us how change is vital for our roads to become safe for pedestrians and other motorists. Through analysing the causes behind distracted driving, I present a few solutions to decrease the number of accidents and fatalities in the future.

Education regarding safety whilst driving can range drastically, from informing young and inexperienced drivers on injury statistics to showing them the wreckage of a vehicle in person. Even more harsh, images of injuries sustained in accidents could be shown to those who consent and have a parents signature consenting to it. Such appalling imagery might remain in the mind of visual learners much longer than odious text, further decreasing the number of potential crashes. On a lighter note, informing students on the many methods of self distractment further reduces fatalities. For instance, “Inattentive or careless behavior included talking, eating, reading, using cell phones, text messaging, and using global positioning systems or other devices” (Wilson et al). Illustrating how understanding the forms distraction might present itself might discourage new drivers from attempting to multitask while driving. An additional way to discourage distracted driving and simultaneously educate the proper manner of reacting in certain situations is through sharing stories of people who have crashed and dissecting what they did incorrectly. For example, my brother was driving to school when a deer leapt out in front of him, and as a fairly inexperienced driver, he swerved and collided with a tree. Thankfully he was unharmed, and now it provides as an excellent example of what needs to change in our education system. We must incorporate what if scenarios outlining what to do when something blocks the road or when control over the car is lost. Simulations or recorded test crashes that pause to allow instructors to explain what actions to perform in split second decisions would greatly reduce the amount of wrecks, especially in more uncommon instances where the driver’s instinct takes over.

After analysing the reasons behind distracted driving, a handful of possible solutions to minimise the amount of wreckage and deaths in the future. Achieved through educating young and inexperienced drivers on the varying ways one may distract themselves whilst driving, and the numerous statistics highlighting the dangers of driving recklessly. Additionally, more frightful measures can be utilized such as displaying real cars that have been totaled as well as images of wounds accompanying collisions. Because safety is at the utmost importance, driver education should be enhanced, saving thousands of lives from sudden and heart wrenching ends.

Works Cited

Wilson, Fernando A., and Jim P. Stimpson. “Trends in fatalities from distracted driving in the

United States, 1999 to 2008.” American journal of public health 100.11 (2010):

2213-2219.