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Round 3 – Drivers Education Could Save Lives

Name: Peyton McQuain
From: Portland, Oregon
Votes: 0

Drivers Education Could Save Lives

Peyton McQuain

11/30/20

Drivers Education Could Save Lives

Driving to work, picking up your kids, giving someone a ride; any given day could change the rest of your life. Whether it’s from reckless driving or even the smallest distraction, people die behind the wheel. Driver’s education does not only prepare the driver to face the road but also creates a safer environment for everyone. Teens who have taken a driver’s ed course are less likely to be involved in car accidents and are proven to have a better understanding of road safety. The highest fatality rates due to driving are usually between the ages of 16 and 18 which is why it is extremely important and useful for teens to take a driver’s education course to prepare themselves for the dangerous roads and learn what they can do to stay safe. Teens who take driver’s ed are also exposed to more situations and tools that they can use to stay safe on the road. Adaptation, awareness, and confidence are important keys to safe driving and may not be able to be taught solely by someone’s parents.

The majority of accidents occur due to the lack of education and practice on the road. The smallest distractions can lead to the most devastating tragedies. A small glance to your phone, a quick reach to grab something, a text back, or a bite of food, could permanently affect the rest of your life or someone else’s life. No song is that bad, no conversation is that important, and any message can wait until you are safely parked. All your focus should be on the road including sight, hearing, and thinking. Distractions create unpredictability which creates a dangerous environment for everyone driving. You should be predictable to all the other cars on the road. Turning on your blinker to signal exactly what you plan on doing is a way to communicate with the drivers around you. Paying attention to traffic lights, pedestrians, and bikers will not only make the roads safer but will also make them smoother.

While there are many things you can do inside the car to stay alert, safety precautions begin before you even start driving. Make sure your seat and mirrors are adjusted, the temperature is how you like, and you have anything you might need during the drive. This is to limit the amount of distractions that you will be thinking about while driving. Double checking tires and lights before driving could save a life. It’s not only important to keep your car operating nicely, but also to control your emotions while driving. You should never drive under the influence of any intoxicants or drive with clouded judgement due to overwhelming emotions. Being under the influence of any substance will limit your ability to focus and affect how quickly you are able to adapt to the road. While driving, you should be cautious and aware of everything that is going on around you. It is important to take these precautions because they just might save a life.