The Importance of Driver’s Ed

The importance of Driver’s Education

Driver education is extremely important in reducing the number of accidents which may result in death. The purpose of drivers education is to provide new drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive safely. Teen drivers have very little experience on the road, therefore they are more likely to crash or be hurt in a crash. According to Tenge Law Firm, “Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens, causing 33% of all teen deaths.” Drivers education is intended to prepare students for driving and to teach them the laws and responsibilities of a driver.

Some parents may think that teaching their own child how to drive is the safest and least expensive route, but that just isn’t the best method. A study by the AAA Foundation revealed that teens who go through a structured Drivers Ed program are safer on the roads which in turn saves parents money in the long run. Since teen driver safety is the primary focus of Driver’s Ed, new drivers who go through the program are involved in fewer car crashes and receive fewer convictions than those taught by parents. The reason for this is that teens tend to listen more to professionals than their own parents. Besides Driver’s Education, there are other steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. A few key points are to obey the traffic laws, be predictable, avoid distractions, be well rested, and steer clear of alcohol and drugs. By simply being mindful of the speed limit and being conscientious of one’s driving behavior, we can help make the roads safer for all.

A few months ago, I personally experienced being in a car where a friend of mine was driving extremely irresponsibly. We were on the freeway on our way to the mall. Although I didn’t know exactly how fast she was going, I knew she was driving at an excessive speed, and worse, she was going in and out of lanes. My palms were sweating and my heart was beating fast. As uncomfortable as it was, I used my voice and asked her to please slow down. I told her that I was a little nervous and I was getting car sick. In an instant she slowed down and apologized. Within a few minutes I received a call from my mom who was upset that I was in a car that was going nearly 95 mph…you see, my mom uses a phone app called Life360 that tracks my whereabouts and the speed of the car I am in. She told me she would pick me up from the mall and I was no longer able to drive with anyone younger than twenty-five. Of course I got a little defensive, but ultimately I understood. Life is too precious and can be lost quickly by irresponsible driving.

I truly believe taking a Drivers Ed course made a difference in the way I drive and the way I perceive driving. It taught me the knowledge of the law and valuable road skills. To be a better and safer driver, I will continue to obey the traffic laws, drive the speed limit, avoid distractions, and be conscientious of my driving behavior. I will also help others become safer on the road by encouraging them to drive safely, to be alert while driving, to be the voice of reason, and to have conversations about how precious life is.