Why We Need Drivers Ed: My Experience

Charlene Cregeen

Drivers ed Initiative Award Essay

17 July 2020

Why We Need Drivers Ed: My Experience

Growing up, I was always told about the importance of being aware of other people while driving on the road. Of course, I knew that what my parents were telling me would help me significantly as I reached that point in my life of being a soon-to-be licensed driver. My parents’ advice on following the rules and regulations to be safe weren’t the only life lessons that helped me understand the value of it, but the experience of being in an actual car accident at about four years old gave me a shock of reality.

My involvement in this accident from what I can remember was pretty terrifying for my age. It was just me and mom on the road, probably heading home, when all of sudden, we got a bang from the back, and other cars in front of us were severely damaged. Luckily, my mom and I were completely safe and unharmed, but seeing a girl with injuries made me wince to realize how serious one mishap while driving can lead to. The girl was alive though, and thankfully, she was going to be okay, and from what I can remember, everyone was okay and alive, so that was very fortunate under this tragic event that occurred with the shock and panic arising from everyone.

I’m seventeen now, and upon remembering that past encounter, I wouldn’t forget what my mom and dad have told me. Even now, as I’m in drivers ed, my parents still continue to help me with my driving lessons and tell me to always stay aware of other drivers, pedestrians, and to not be distracted with my phone and other things. A couple days ago, my instructor told me that the leading cause of accidents or death was failure to give the right of way to others. When thinking about it, it made me feel devastated to realize that people were unaware of the outcome of doing that. Also, while driving with my instructor, I noticed people on their phones and not paying any attention to what was in front of them. Even my instructor told me to never be distracted on the phone while driving, which I have heard and have been told millions of times. Everyone has, but do they dare to listen? No, which is why learning the important rules of driving and taking the steps that can avoid the number of deaths on the road can be to put all distractions away, to not drive while feeling sleepy or intoxicated, and to not multitask while driving. These are some of the things my instructor mentions as well, and I think this shows the importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving by the large amount of impact learning the rules and driving safely can make on teens.