Safety First

Jenine
B. Boyles

[email protected]

Importance
of Drivers ed in Reducing Deaths

When
I was a younger, I was not sure about the importance of taking
drivers ed. Like most new drivers, I just wanted to get
behind the wheel and drive. My parents enrolled me in a driver’s
education course in high school. It was there I learned the
importance of save driving and how important it was. I learned
that it was just not my life that was at risk when I was driving, but
it was others around me. I learned to monitor the weather, keep my
distance between cars and avoid distraction. My parents wanted to
ensure I was prepared before I got on the road. They even enrolled
me in a virtual course through their insurance company and practiced
many hours on the road in the passenger’s seat.

Practice
makes perfect may seem like a old cliché but it is true, especially
with driving. Requiring more practice hours is one way to reduce the
number of deaths related to driving. Another step is to require youth
to take virtual simulation courses through insurance companies.
Using the power of social media can also be beneficial to promote
safe driving. Teens, especially during prom time need to be reminded
to drive safe, wear seatbelts and do not drink and drive. If
possible, I think it is a good idea for car accident survivors to
come and speak to teens about the importance of safe driving. I hope
schools continue to put crashed cars in front of the schools during
prom time as an example to young drivers to drive safely.

I
had firsthand knowledge of witnessing reckless driving being
irresponsible. One day when my mother was picking me up from high
school, a student hit her car while he was speeding out of the
parking lot. She stopped him. To my surprise she did not call the
police. This poor boy had to hear my mother’s fury. He apologized
from and went on his merry way. He was lucky it was my mother and no
one was hurt. My mom used this as a teachable moment of what not to
do if I was given the privilege to drive her car. She reminded me
that driving was a privilege, not a right or passage to growing up.
Youth need to be mindful of whose cars they are driving and whose
lives they are putting in danger.

By
the time I was ready to go get my driver’s license. I was more than
prepared. The videos, training and lectures forced me to become a
good driver. To my surprise, I was given a car for graduation. As a
more mature driver, I am more aware of my surroundings and I take
several steps to continue practicing my learned e drivers ed
safety. First, I turn down my radio. Second, I avoid using my cell
phone. Third, I avoid drinking and driving. Fifth, I always wear my
seatbelt and sixth, I always remind my passengers to wear their
seatbelt. As a more mature driver I also learned not to rush. I give
myself more time to arrive at my destination. All of these steps will
not only help me stay a safe driver, but it will help keep others
alive on the road.