Driver Education

Hadley Malmstrom

Driver’s Education

Driver Education is one of the most important things that you will learn in your lifetime. The power of a motor vehicle is huge, but you’re just a little person in that motor vehicle that controls it all. Being able to get a driving education is a privilege that no one should take lightly. Being able to properly use and run a motor vehicle is really important, that some people have not come to realize.

The total amount of hours required by the state of Utah is 18-30 hours of in class or learning of driver’s education. Driver’s education is the only possible way a person can and will drive a motor vehicle properly to keep themselves and others safe. The importance of driver’s education is life or death, and decreasing the amount of driver’s education will lead to more death.

Ways that we can prevent death when driving are, making sure every person in the car is wearing a seatbelt, even if you are wearing a seatbelt but your friend isn’t, the impact from a car crash can throw your friend at you and potentially kill you or others in the car. Being smart about when you are impared and knowing when and when not to drive. Don’t get near any motor vehicle when impared by drugs, alcohol, and medications. Be cautious when driving with a medical condition, making sure everything is 100% okay with yourself before you drive. And certainly don’t depend on other drivers around you, you never know when something can happen, and always be a defensive driver and beware of your surroundings. Many parents of teen drivers don’t worry about their teenager driving and taking safety precautions, it’s everyone else around them on the road. Considering 90% of car crashes are caused by human error, be smart when driving even if it’s just 2 minutes away. Being aware of appropriate times to use your cell phone and when not too.

I’ve had an experience of being involved in an accident. It was incredibly scary and has changed the way that I drive.I was driving, I was stopped at a light making a left hand turn and another person was in front of me in the same lane. On the other side of the intersection is oncoming traffic coming out of the canyon. I didn’t see a motorcyclist coming down the canyon after the person in front of me had gone. He was the one driving irresponsibly. He was going about 20 mph over the speed limit and wasn’t wearing a helmet, he thought he was going to hit me when I made the turn but I left him with enough room to keep going straight. His instincts took over and he swerved as a reaction and fell off of his bike. When this situation happened I was not driving irresponsibly at all, I was not being as cautious as i could have been. I could have stopped and made sure for sure no one else was coming, then proceeded with the left hand turn. Always taking the extra step to make sure you have enough time or that you are driving safe. Take two seconds to change the way that you drive, for the better.