The Importance of Drivers Ed

To get a degree in a subject—say, accounting—it takes anywhere from two to eight years to acquire the education necessary to be officially recognized as proficient in the field. This education comes from studying with experts who have extensive backgrounds in the subject, including life experience, a degree in the subject, and often a teaching degree. Only after you complete your course of study and receive a degree are you viewed by employers as hirable —an expert! Or, at least, proficient.

Why aren’t drivers held to the same standards as a person getting a degree? If an accountant errs in her work, it results in money being transferred to the wrong account that will likely be caught and fixed later. If a driver errs in his driving, the consequences range anywhere from a ticket or fine to thousands of dollars in damages or loss of life. No one dies if the accountant makes a mistake, but drivers have the potential to kill people. The best way to rectify this is to fund state-sponsored drivers ed programs so that every student who passes through high school has the proper training to drive from someone licensed as a driver and licensed to teach driving.

I’ve been in a few accidents, but none of them were major—all fender benders or little bumps and scratches. I’ve seen plenty, though, as I drive by them or on the news. It’s incredibly sad to see the results of an institution that’s failed at educating its drivers. I believe that most driving-related deaths stem from a lack of proper drivers ed. For example, road rage comes from not being trained in how to manage stress while driving while drunk driving comes from a misunderstanding of how alcohol inhibits the ability to drive. These are all subjects that should be covered in a quality drivers ed class. All drivers should be required to have some sort of driving class from a certified instructor before they receive a license. That is the best way to reduce driving-related deaths and accidents.

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world where drivers ed classes are adequately funded and available. There are ways, however, to make sure that we stay on top of our driving skills and that they don’t slip. Online, there are dozens of websites that offer free driver’s license practice tests. By taking fifteen minutes every six months or so to take one of those tests, it’s very easy to see what part of our driving skills are still up to snuff and what parts of them need work. Once we’ve realized what skills we need to work on, all that is necessary is to be vigilant in driving to recognize when we make a mistake and then to work not to make it again. If this is coupled with a massive campaign to refund drivers ed programs, it’s only a matter of time before we start to see fewer accidents on the road.