In the Driver’s Seat

Driver Education Initiative Award: In the Driver’s Seat

Holly Feucht

October 29, 2020

In the Driver’s Seat

When turning 16 years old, the first thing most teens look forward to is getting their license. Although it is an exciting time in one’s life, newly operating a vehicle requires more than “putting the pedal to the metal.” Driver’s education is an excellent opportunity for new drivers to learn the basics of operating a car and its features. As Leslie Reed (2015) states,

Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident, and 16 percent more likely to have an accident, study shows. (para. 2).

While operating a vehicle can be very frightening, driver’s education allows students to understand the safety and requirements of using a car and why we must follow these guidelines to avoid such mishaps. It teaches students the importance of adjusting seats, steering wheel, and mirrors, so you have as much vision and comfortability on the road as possible. It also pressures students to practice before officially entering the streets on their own.

A few steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Drivers can and should read over the owner’s manual associated with the car when purchasing to acquire the proper knowledge and keep it in good condition. This means checking that the brakes function correctly, tires are at the appropriate pressure, and the positioning of your body and mirrors align. Another step drivers should take to ensure their safety and others is wearing your seatbelt, double-checking those mirror and seat adjustments, and keeping your eyes focused on the road at all times. Make sure you are well-rested and always avoid driving under any dangerous influence.

Although I have never been involved in an accident, I am not a saint. A week before my 18th birthday, I received a speeding ticket on the way home from vacation. A group of friends and I were returning from Florida. I was exhausted from this long drive because there was only one other person in the car with their license at the time, so I was stuck driving six hours. Although this drive was tiring, it does not excuse my speeding. I was thinking of only myself and not the passengers in my car or those who could appear around me. My speeding could have resulted in many injuries and possibly death. Steps I can take to be a better and safer driver include keeping the phone down, being aware of myself and my surroundings, and effectively using the resources provided inside my car. While that text message will be there when you arrive at your destination, you may not.

References

Reed, L. (2015). Study: Driver’s ed significantly reduces teen crashes, tickets. http://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/2015/08/13/Study:+Driver%27s+ed+significantly+reduces+teen+crashes,+tickets