Driver Education Initiative 2021

Beginning to drive is a right of passage for most teens, it marks the start of a new chapter of their lives. With a valid driver’s license, they gain a new sense of freedom. Meeting up with friends, grabbing food, even going on a road trip are all possibilities. While this new opportunity is very exciting, the misuse of this freedom can have detrimental consequences. In the US, an average of 34,000 people die annually as a result of driving. This substantial amount of deaths poses the question; how can these fatalities be prevented? Some may suggest new policies, harsher punishments for reckless driving, and even increased funding for technological advancements pertaining to automobiles. While these solutions are beneficial, there is a more effective one. The fate of the driving world lies in the hands of new drivers. Driver education is the perfect starting point for cultivating a new generation of cautious, informed, and responsible drivers.

There is a saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. This proves to be true in many aspects of life, and it can be seen in driving as well. The habits of a seasoned driver tend to be resilient, regardless of emerging laws or social and political initiatives. Drivers that text will continue to do so, even if there are laws prohibiting it. Those who speed and recklessly drive will not adopt new ways, no matter how many tickets they accumulate. Habits of mind are hard to break, and this is why it’s so important to stop these habits from developing with new drivers. By encouraging and requiring drivers education, young teens will be taught the do’s and don’t of the road. With the new initiatives regarding the dangers of texting and driving, learning drivers will be dissuaded from ever attempting to do so.

A community of safer drivers seems idealistic, but it is the process that poses difficulties. How do we as a society bring about real change among drivers? Well, increasing funding for drivers education programs is a great start. With more money available, educators will be able to reach a broader audience, have access to newer technology, appeal to the upcoming generation through social media platforms, and compensate teachers fairly. All of these changes are sure-fire ways to attract more teens to the cause and allow them to leave as a more well informed and prepared driver. Although the majority of auto-related accidents are caused by accidents, impared driving, etc., it is worth mentioning that there are quite a few annual deaths attributed to road rage incidents. This is a circumstance that is often overlooked, but seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in this day in age. Personally, my news feed is plagued by stories of fatal road rage incidents, all which could have been avoided not only by de-escalation tactics, but more responsible and considerate driving. By drawing attention to this possible scenario in drivers education, teens will hopefully be taught tips on how to avoid causing tension on the road and ways to de-escalate interactions if it gets to the point of confrontation.

My family members and I have been fortunate enough to not be involved in a car accident, however, there are certain irresponsible habits and behaviors that I have witnessed that could possibly result in one. Some of my family members become distracted by their phones while driving. Whether that be sending a quick text, talking on the phone, or picking music, all of these can have serious consequences. Some of my family members are also participants in speeding and exhibit road rage from time to time. While these occurrences are commonalities among many, they have the potential to be dangerous. Getting mad at a fellow driver and attempting to pass them on the road at a high speed is a very dangerous ordeal. We all have places to be, but it is not worth your life, in my opinion, to get there on time. Speeding not only increases the amount you’ll be fined on a ticket, but also will lead to more severe injuries if you are involved in an accident.

I will be the first to admit that I am not a perfect driver. I can work on my awareness and responsiveness. However, I am fairly good at going the speed limit, I rarely speed. This may be due to my cautiousness, but I feel that maintaining a proper speed is one of the most important steps each and every driver can take to be more safe. I also refrain from using my phone while I am on the road. I find that having my phone on “do not disturb while driving” is very beneficial. It removes the temptation to take a quick glance at the text someone just sent. Last, but certainly not least, wearing a seat belt can be the determinant between life and death. It is the most important step to take before you hit the road. Driving can be one of the greatest freedoms, but its misuse can result in the most detrimental of consequences. As driver education becomes more prevalent, it is my hope that emerging drivers will not only take advantage of what it has to offer, but apply the life saving techniques as they sit behind the steering wheel.