The Significance of Driver Education

Driver safety is not only important, but imperative. It is unfortunate that in order to stress the importance of a phenomenon, one must emphasize its effects in terms of relativity – how does this issue impact someone directly?

For myself, I have been involved in two car accidents – neither severe. During the first accident I was in middle school and my mother had gotten rear-ended and I only sustained a headache. From the second accident, no one was hurt, but a vehicle drove recklessly off the side of the road in order to pass me. The driver ran out of available space to pass me and ultimately drove up the side of my car. There was a car on the other side of me as well, so I had to maintain control in order to prevent further damage. I had a friend in the car that day. Despite the lack of injuries, it was due to their reckless driving, and countless others like them, that myself, my family, and numerous others must face these situations – some far worse than mine.

I do admit that I have had my moments, along with those in my family. One way in which I have improved my driving is indirectly through my temper. It is impatience that fuels road rage and irresponsible driving. Over the past year or so, I have been vigorously working to improve my patience, not only for myself, but for others as well. This significant change has improved my driving because I tend to not become annoyed with slow drivers like I once would. Not only does this improve my experience as a driver, it also improves the safety of my driving. I don’t feel the need to pass as often or go as fast as I once would.

Another vital method in reducing automotive fatalities consists of driver education. The best reforms and societal reconstructions tend to be consequences of proper education. Simply objectively informing young drivers – even before they begin driving – about proper procedures and conductions when driving is vital to driver safety. In a study conducted by the AAA Foundation, it was found that driver education “is associated with a lower incidence of both crashes and convictions – reducing crashes by 4.3% and convictions by nearly 40%” (Drive Smart Georgia)¹. This study also revealed that those who received driver education retained greater long-term knowledge in the field as opposed to peers who did not receive driver education. Another study concluded that young drivers which did not complete driver education courses were “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” (Reed)². It is no secret that it is important to start reform when subjects are young.

A few steps which can be taken in order to reduced the number of fatalities related to driving include: completing a driver education course, being transparent and communicative about driver education, acclimating oneself to driving – meaning becoming comfortable and confident on the road – and following proper road etiquette. Possibly most importantly, no phones while driving, no eating and no multitasking. When operating a motor-vehicle, that should be the main priority and the only focus.

The steps that I can take personally go beyond these basic methods and encompass enhanced awareness and patience. I should not drive when I am tired or distracted and I should continue to work on my patience in order to improve driver safety. I have adopted the practice of not becoming angry while driving and encouraging my family to do the same. I believe that patience is a valuable trait, and one that will keep people safe on the roads.

In short, driver education is a vital component of safe driving practices and ensuring the reduction of driving-related fatalities and injuries. There is something we all can do to improve our driving performance and ensure the safety of ourselves and others on the road. It is time to start doing those things.