Driver’s Education

Growing up, I have always been taught that driving is a privilege. Driving is not essential, and with misbehavior, your license or your life can be taken away from you instantly. Because of this, I am extremely grateful to get behind the wheel of my own vehicle and make it home safely. When I was learning how to drive, safety was the first thing I learned. Always check my mirrors. Always wear my seat belt. Drive in shoes that I feel comfortable in. Never use your phone while driving. These are driving principles that I live by every single time I drive. Truthfully, it was annoying at first because I never understood how important these driving tips were. Then I began hearing about car accidents and fatalities in my area due to unsafe driving habits. It was then that I realized how even the smallest driving tips can make the biggest difference, and I began to appreciate all the little things I was taught about driver’s education.

Driver’s education is very important in reducing the numbers of deaths as a result of driving because it teaches people how to be safe. A lot of the time, teens are taught to drive through outside sources, not through an accredited driver’s institution. Because of this, it is more likely for a teen driver to lack the proper knowledge of driver’s safety. Driver’s education will teach new drivers the importance of being cautious and attentive while driving, and it will also show them how to be safe in unique situations. Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths during driving is to make it a requirement for all teenage drivers to take driver’s education. This will ensure that new drivers are being taught safely and correctly. It will also ensure that teens are getting enough proper practice before they get their license. Another step that can be taken is requiring newer model vehicles to have breathalyzers in them. If the breathalyzer detects alcohol in the system, the car will not start. I think this is a great idea because it will prevent drunk drivers from being on the road causing harm to themselves or others. I also think that less usage of phones during driving will greatly reduce driving fatalities. In fact, there’s a new update on my phone that prevents me from using it while I am driving. I am so thankful that this update exists because it forces drivers to focus on the road and the road only.

Thankfully, I have never been in a car accident and I have not been in a car with someone who drives unsafely. I am always in the car with people who care about their safety as well as others. On the contrary, I have heard stories of people in my area who have been in car accidents in which some of them lost their lives. A lot of it was due to speeding or texting and driving. Hearing about these young people dying due to irresponsibility encourages me to drive safer for myself and others. Steps that I take to be a better driver is by paying attention to my surroundings all the time. I always look everywhere before I turn, and I never use my phone while driving, not even at a stop light. I also never get behind the wheel unless I am completely comfortable with doing so. If I feel too exhausted or if the weather is not ideal for me, I will not drive anywhere. I also encourage my friends to drive safely as well. Luckily, I am not surrounded by people who drive erratically or irresponsibly, so I never have to worry about my friends being unsafe, however I still like to encourage them to always pay attention to the roads. When I am driving with them, I offer to respond and read their texts for them so they never have to pick up their phone. I also offer to give them rides in case they are in a position where they do not feel comfortable driving. Encouraging others to drive safely is just as important as driving safely yourself.

In conclusion, driver’s education is an extremely important practice for all drivers. Whether driver’s education is a requirement for a license or if in-vehicle breathalyzers become the norm, all of it is important to ensure driver’s safety for everyone. Of course, there is no way to guarantee that everyone will make the right choice regarding driver’s safety, however we can continue to educate anyway. With the use of new technology, I am hopeful that driving can become safer for everyone, including those who may make it unsafe.