My Fundamentals of Drivers Ed

Drivers ed is a fundamental safety factor in our everyday life. The importance of drivers ed anywhere in the world is paramount, and obtaining a highly conscious understanding of education in safe-driving could reduce dramatically the number of car accidents in our country.

According to recently published statistics by National Safety Council in 2019 alone, the estimated number of lives lost in car accidents was 38,800 and as noted in The Wandering RV online publication, the average number of car accidents in a year is 6 million just in the U.S. alone every year; these are alarming figures. I think the steps to take to reduce the number of car accidents in the U.S. are basic but must include reading and comprehending all the rules and regulations of the state’s Department of Public safety, DPS is our best guideline! Also, avoid multitasking during driving; our brains have a very hard time processing using for example the phone and driving at the same time; putting down our phones while driving can make a significant difference in effectively avoiding car accidents. I have seen for example, my own parents occasionally texting while driving and although they deserve my respect, it remains important for me to call out these types of crucial driving mistakes regardless of the close relationship anyone may have with the driver; I’m happy to say that they’ve learned from it.

Drivers need to follow the rules of the road…metro, rural, open-road areas are no exception; the semi-rural area where I live is no exception either, in my opinion we have a large number of bad drivers; drivers on their phones on the highway, drivers making illegal turns, drivers speeding, drivers becoming impatient in an expressway sometimes leading to unfortunate instances of road rage; I sometimes wonder, what’s in these folks’ minds, or are they being distracted by what!? On my way to school and back I see car accidents almost every day. All of us need to start paying attention to the road and abide by the rules of the road. The rules are there to protect us all from being involved in car accidents.

New drivers need better and more comprehensive education. A new beginner driver who can be taught to consciously put down the phone or be patient and not make any rash decisions has a greater chance of avoiding accidents in the future for sure; but for those who remain not as disciplined, perhaps more severe punishment should be enforced for things like speaking over the phone or texting while driving, or enforce similar penalties faced to those caught by police for DUI, because arguably texting and driving may lead to potentially same type of car accidents as much as someone driving under the influence. Personally I follow basic steps when driving: follow the road-rules, respect speed limit, be very attentive of others driving around me, put down my phone while driving, and don’t drink and drive…I’m not 21 yet, but it’s never too late to get used to that important rule.

A driver has a great responsibility especially when they are driving with the family. They are responsible for their lives and others on the road. I drive now and have been focusing on the road and always making myself remember to resist especially the urge to look at a text. I expect and hope for future generations experience safe-driving as part of their nature and a form of basic human instinct.