The Importance of Drivers-Ed- By Taylor Rowse

Taylor Rowse

The Importance of Drivers-Ed

It was the end of a hot sticky summer day, and the whole class was tired of sitting for two hours in the small classroom. My wrist ached from taking notes and I was anxious to get home. Our retired, and albeit intimidating driving instructor surveyed the class with a serious steely gaze.

“Remember,” he said. “That a car is like a gun. If not used responsibly you could kill someone.”

That phrase has stuck with me throughout my two years of driving in a state where practically everyone in a car is in a foul mood. More than the rules, regulations and laws learned in drivers-ed, the importance of driving safety was the biggest lesson that I took away from the class. After seeing morbid images of people crushed inside cars while not wearing seat belts or hearing the stories of car accidents caused by road rage, I learned that above all else, responsible driving should be prioritized

People in states that don’t require a drivers-ed program may think that taking the course would only cost extra money and time. However, drivers-ed is crucial in helping imprint the importance of safe driving on young minds. Additionally, drivers-ed courses help encourage consistent healthy driving habits on the road. The more drivers with incomplete knowledge that are on the road, the more risk there is to others. Injuries and deaths can be decreased through proper education and emphasis on the importance of safe driving.

There are a few things that can be done to reduce road caused deaths that both the state and individual can participate in. On a personal level, drivers can be responsible for their driving habits. Drivers can take a drivers-ed course, drive defensively, use proper signaling and turning techniques and they can be aware of their physical state. Drivers who are emotionally upset, or who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even an electronic device are statistically more likely to cause an accident. By being aware of the dangers of an upset mental state and taking precautions against being under the influence of devices, drugs and alcohol, drivers can reduce the numbers of deaths on the road. Through being a responsible and safe driver, the number of road deaths can be significantly decreased.

Additionally, the state can institut laws that require a driver’s course to be taken before a state license is issued. This law can ensure that drivers are well educated on all driving regulations as well as how they can be a responsible driver. This step on the states part can help ensure that drivers are aware of their actions on the roads and impress the importance of responsible driving on young minds.

Many years ago, I was in a minor car accident. Fortunately for me, it was not on the road. I was sitting in the passenger seat of my father’s small Mazda. We had pulled into a parking lot to visit my family’s favorite coffee shop. As we were waiting for the car ahead of us to unload its passengers, a car backed into the side door where I was sitting. As soon as the bumper of the car touched the side door the driver braked, and I was not crushed. I could have been killed because the driver didn’t checking their rear-view mirror

There are a multitude of actions that I can take to become a better and safer driver. The best way for me to be a safe driver is to be responsible. Firstly, I can adhere to the laws, observing road speed limits, being patient with other drivers, turning into the correct lane and being a cautious driver. I can also set habits for myself, like leaving 10 minutes early to get to destinations so I am not rushed and performing regular maintenance checks on my car.

Additionally, I can encourage other drivers like my friends and family to drive responsibly while I am with them. During my drivers-ed course, I observed that my family would break various driving laws without being aware of them. While breaking laws like not turning into the proper lane and adhering to the speed limit may seem trivial, by not following the predetermined laws set in place, other drivers’ lives may be at risk. When I am in the car with them, I can remind them of the proper road procedures and laws. Accident caused death is a serious matter that can be prevented through responsible driving.