A Case for Driver Education

A Case for Driver Education By Osamede Ogbomo

As a driver that was initially taught to drive by my dad, before receiving a formal driver education, I am a big advocate for driver education. Driver education is of great importance. It is said that people perish for lack of knowledge. My parents often say that ignorance is quite costly, and this is certainly true of inadequate driver education. Driver education provides tools necessary to equip drivers with the knowledge they need to both be safe on the road, as well as to keep others safe. It helps to reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving.

Prior to getting my driver’s license last year, I received drivers’ education from the Marietta/Cobb Driver’s Education program. While my parents appreciate that fact that it helped with my insurance cost, the Program equipped me with the driving skills I need to be a safe driver. It also provided me with a keen awareness of how to be aware of distracted drivers on the road, and avoid inattentive wildlife crossing the roads on my heavily wooded part of town.

The skills I learned from driver education has been invaluable in keeping me, my family, and friends safe while we are on the road. Those skills were particularly helpful in an accident I was involved in this summer when a lady hit the passenger rear side of my car. Though I was on a major road and had the right of way, I managed to somehow spot a seemingly distracted driver rushing out of a side road right into a major road, in my direction. Having looked quickly through my driver side mirror to see that there was no car to my left, I was able to I quickly swerve to the left lane. The other driver realized too late what was going on and proceeded to hit the passenger rear area of my car. Thankfully, neither the other driver nor any of the passengers in my car was hurt. I cannot help but think of how valuable it was for me to have had driver’s education, where I learned the skill needed to be a safe driver and acquired the instincts to drive defensively.

I believe drivers education is a great first step to help reduce the number of deaths related to driving. The better educated drivers are before they get behind the wheels, the safer our roads will be. I will also add that cell phone disabling technology can be improved to minimize distractions. For example, rather that a driver having the ability to override cell phones with “I’m not driving” option while actually driving, cell phone technology can be improved to be unusable while driving except the driver pulls off the road and stops to make or take calls. I also believe that raising awareness by sharing stories of accident and fatalities can serve as deterrent to reckless driving.

I have been in a car accident once as mentioned earlier. While I was in the right, I was quite shaken by the experience. The accident gave me a healthier appreciation for the power of vehicles and how easy it is to get into an accident. I have seen some classmates drive irresponsibly after school by speeding to impress. As the president of students’ council at my school, I am always working with school administration to bring awareness to the dangers of reckless driving in conjunction with other pertinent issues.

For others and I to be a better and safer drivers, there is a need to continue to remove distraction such as cell phone usage while driving, avoid loud music, ensure vehicles are in great working condition, set driving directions before getting on the road, ensure drivers are not distracted by others, and drivers must never be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also important that drivers get adequate rest to avoid dosing off behind the wheels.