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Drivers ed Initiative: The Importance of Safe and Careless Driving

A vehicle is one of the main modes of transportation for people to get around. Although

vehicles are an efficient way to get from one location to another, all drivers need to receive valid

training on how to safely drive. Vehicles can be very dangerous because it is something that can

take your life or someone else’s in the blink of an eye due to lack of responsibility. I feel it is

very important to be educated on driving. If you are not educated on driving and the rules of the

road before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle you are putting your life and the lives of others

in jeopardy. Taking a Drivers ed class will significantly reduce the chance of teens

crashing and getting tickets as you gain experience with driving. In 2018, drunk driving made up

29% of all traffic fatalities in the United States which averages one person dying every 50

minutes. Texting and driving accounted for one out of every four car accidents, so people who

text and drive are eight times more likely to get in an accident than drunk drivers. Last, speeding

is another major contributor to fatalities because people have an urgency to get from place to

place causing them to speed to get there. In 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of

all traffic fatalities. Drivers ed not only teaches the rules of the road, but it also helps

drivers learn to be safe. In other words, it not only helps protect you, but it also protects others

on the road around you. With the help from drivers ed, deaths resulting from car crashes

are reduced because people are safer while driving. Some steps that could help with reducing the

number of deaths related to driving would be, always ensure that you and the passenger(s) are

wearing seatbelts, never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you are intoxicated or under the

influence of drugs, and avoid distractions of using cell phones, eating, messing with the radio.

I have personally never been in a car accident but have came very close to being in one

when I was in high school. My friends weren’t paying attention to the road ahead of them and

almost crashed into the car in front of us. However , I have witnessed family and friends driving

irresponsibly. When I’m in a car with others, the main thing I witness them doing is speeding or

texting and driving. The following steps people could take to be a better and safer driver on the

road, as well as help others become a safer driver are. Steps I will take to be a safer driver myself

include continuing to keep distractions away from me while driving, as well as making sure I am

constantly aware of everything around me at all times.

In conclusion, to set an example of proper driving, new drivers should be required to take

some form of drivers ed to prepare them for anything they may encounter on the roads.

Care should also be taken to educate all new drivers on the dangers of distracted driving so that

the roads can be safer.