Safety in Education

Safety in Education

Being an educated driver is equivalent to being a safe driver. Some believe that experience is more important than education, but they are wrong. Having experience may make a person more skilled, but at the same, it leads them to become less cautious. There is a safety in caution knowing the responsibility of driving that cannot be replaced by any amount of experience. Not only that, but more experience can lead to a faulty sense of arrogance on the road. Education and knowledge breeds awareness and is essential for safety when driving.

Drivers ed is the most important thing for safety on the road, but it is lacking. I believe that the practical skill of learning to drive isn’t enough for safety on the road. Having a drivers ed that encompasses experience with accidents is crucial to decreasing the amount of deaths caused by driving accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 16,000 preventable crashes occur per year because of pedal error where the driver mistakes the acceleration for the brake. This is because of the panic a driver faces right before the accident occurs. If crash training and accident experience is taught, this could significantly decrease the chance of panic overtaking the mind when making a life-or-death decision. By addressing the severity of accidents and how important it is to stay alert no matter how experienced someone is with driving, many lives can be saved.

Other steps that can be taken to further enhance drivers ed is stricter enforcement on drivers ed. Not only that, but there should be requirements that need actual proof in order to receive a license. For instance, a teenager who needs 50 hours of driving under parental supervision could just ask their parents to sign the slip and familiarize themselves with the testing site. The tester would be none the wiser that the student only memorized the most basic of skills and isn’t nearly prepared enough to properly react to situations that may result in deadly accidents.

People drive irresponsibly everyday. I see my parents, friends and acquaintances all do so. Whether it’s eating in the car, chatting casually over the phone or reaching back to get something during a stoplight. All these little things seem excusable and even laughable if they are pointed to as the cause of an accident. However, distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents and these little things are what distract people even if they are unaware of such. To help others safe on the road, I am responsible for my decisions behind the wheel. I always shut off my phone, I never drive if I’m feeling unwell or mentally drained and I am attentive to my surroundings always. I believe that keeping myself safe and setting an example is the best way to keep others safe.