In the Driver’s Seat

Emma McGraw

Driver Education Initiative Award

01 November 2020

In the Driver’s Seat

Although many people probably think of driver education as just something they have to complete to earn their permit, there is good reason why it is in place. The sole purpose of driver education is to prepare young adults to safely drive on our roadway systems with responsibility and sensibility. Everything that is learned in driver education goes towards ensuring the safety of the driver, their passengers, and others on the road. Approximately 1.35 million people die each year as a result of car accidents globally (PolicyAdvice, 2020). Much of these deaths could be prevented if people would invest time into taking precautionary measures seriously and making an effort to be safe while driving. All the information needed to do just that is provided in driver education, and this is why it is so vital.

So what are some of these things that are taught? There are several things that can be done before the car is turned on. A car is a very complicated machine; there are many small things that have to be thought about before operating a vehicle. Before driving, one’s seat belt should be properly fastened. 47% of motor vehicle deaths are the results of failure to wear a seat belt or restraint (NHTSA, 2020). Having a restraint can prevent sudden death when being in a car accident or other serious injury that can result in death. Other precautionary measures include making sure your mirrors are properly adjusted and your seat is in the correct position. These can aid in making sure you can sufficiently be alert of your surroundings to prevent an accident. You are also taught how to properly operate a motor vehicle and the rules of the road. These laws are in place to keep everyone on or near the roadways safe.

Everyone can do their part to ensure that we have safe roadways and help prevent more accidents that can lead to death. Being in a good state of mind and health for driving is a personal decision we can make to reduce the risk of an accident. Keeping distractions away from us while we are driving, such as cellular devices, allows us to stay focused on our surroundings. Another important measure is abstaining from the use of substances before operating a motor vehicle, which can impair human motor functions and decision making abilities. Taking these simple steps can save many lives.

I myself have been in a motor vehicle accident; I was the driver. I hit a deer, but in my instance, there was nothing I could do about it. I was on the highway, it was nighttime, and it was the middle of winter. The snow banks were high on each side of the highway, and a deer jumped over it at the last minute. I did not have much time to react, but I remembered the instructions that were given to me while in driver education. I tried to slow as much as I could before releasing the breaks just before impact, hitting the deer more towards my headlight than straight on. I kept a firm grip on the wheel so we wouldn’t go off the road on impact, then slowly pulled over to the side of the road. This was not long after I had gotten my permit, and I know that if it had not been for my training at driver education, my family and I could have died.

But, aside from animal collision accidents, which are sometimes inevitable, there are plenty of accidents that can be prevented. A lot of the teens my age are very irresponsible with their driving habits; speeding, using their phones, and operating under the influence. I want to do as much as I can to change that because I know several young people, even in my area, that have become victims to car accidents. I try to set a good example by being responsible while I am driving and encouraging others to do the same. If we all make an effort and work together, we can change those statistics. We can make a difference, one for the better, one that can save thousands of lives. And it starts with me.

Works Cited

Andrew.currin.ctr@dot.gov. “Seat Belts.” NHTSA, 15 Jan. 2020, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts#:~:text=Consequences,-47 % Percentage of&text=Of the 37,133 people killed,were not wearing seat belts.

“How Many People Die in Car Accidents?” PolicyAdvice, 30 Oct. 2020, policyadvice.net/insurance/insights/car-accidents/.