In the Driver’s Seat

Paris Guidry

Driver Education Initiative Essay

November 2, 2020

In the Driver’s Seat

Stressing the importance of driver’s education comes from a mutual concern within the government and society – motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death amongst teens. On average, 1.25 million people die in car crashes each year – which makes the fatality rate 3,287 deaths per day. Statistically, teenagers who have taken a driver’s ed course are more knowledgeable about the rules of the road and tend to be safer drivers. Driver’s ed programs offer all the information a new driver needs to know about being safe on the road, such as; everyday car inspection checklists, basic traffic rules, provides lists of up-to-date traffic laws, teaches drivers how to read road signs, and keeps new drivers informed about the consequences of abusing driving laws. Driver’s ed courses also offer practice driving sessions with licensed instructors for students; driving instructors give student drivers feedback from the passenger seat and students can learn and experience the rules of the road firsthand in a comfortable environment. The experience a teen gets from driver’s ed is useful when it’s time to take the written test. Between the course information and being able to apply what the student has learned behind the wheel, he or she may pass the license test faster and with proficiency.

The Department of Transportation is aware of the increasing fatality rates caused by car crashes and is making an effort to work with all resources available – transportation agencies, elected officials, law enforcement, safety advocates, etc. – to reduce car accident fatalities and injuries. First on the agenda is the collaboration for roadway safety, safer roadway designs and technological innovations should be made to roadways to make them safer not just for drivers, but pedestrians and bike riders as well. Fostering the development of safer vehicles will also reduce car related fatalities and injuries. Advancements in engineering and vehicle technology could play a key role in crash avoidance and resistance to keep drivers safer. Promoting a good attitude about driving to the public can also reduce the fatality rate. Drivers should often be reminded to drive with a clear head rather than driving when in a hurry, distressed, or distracted.

My freshman year of high school, I was in a minor car accident with my dad on the way to school. While my dad was driving, he pulled up behind a stopped school bus but the girl behind us was texting and driving so she didn’t stop and rear-ended us. Luckily no one was hurt because she wasn’t going that fast, but I still remember the impact of her car with my dad’s bumper and it was extremely hard. I also had the extreme misfortune of losing a very close friend to a car accident very recently because she wasn’t wearing her seat belt right. She was in a head on collision caused by a woman texting and driving. I’ve experienced the devastation a car crash can cause, and I’m very passionate about driver awareness.

The best way to reduce motor vehicle fatalities is to do your part as a responsible driver. First and foremost, before getting your license, get as much supervised practice behind the wheel as you can. Experience and practice allows you to act more naturally behind the wheel and be more confident in your driving skills. Check your vehicle! You should always inspect your car before you leave – make sure the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and other basic machinery is working properly so there aren’t any malfunctions while driving. Wear your seat belt, it’s the law. It should be worn across your chest not under your arm. Avoid being distracted cognitively, visually, and manually – for example, daydreaming, rubbernecking, and fidgeting. When you take your attention away from the road, you put yourself and other drivers at risk. If you avoid being a distracted driver, you’ll also be able to determine and be aware of another driver’s actions and react accordingly. The most important ways to reduce car accidents, however, is to avoid texting and driving and driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Nearly 1.6 million car crashes are caused by texting drivers each year and nearly 1 million arrests are made for alcohol-impaired accidents each year.

Driver awareness in teens is important in society because the number one thing on everyone’s mind is “Are we safe?” And it’s very disheartening that the most common activity for teenagers is also the deadliest. Driver’s ed is a resource that should be taken advantage of to instill a conscientious mindset and observational awareness into new drivers so that they aren’t putting themselves or other at risk. Experienced drivers should also brush up on traffic laws each year and remind themselves to do their part in driving safely because the only way to reduce car crashes is to do your part.