Driver Education Initiative Award: In the Driver’s Seat

Car accident fatalities are prevalent in the United States. That is why driver’s education is very important. It is important for teens and young drivers to learn this driver’s education and gain the information and knowledge for safe driving. Some important steps to reduce the number of driving-related deaths is to 1) take drivers ed, 2) keep your phone off while driving, 3) pay attention to the traffic signs, 4) learn the rules of the road, 5) pay attention to not only how you are driving but also the drivers around you, and 6) always make sure to keep yourself and others as safe as you can and learn how what to do in case of an emergency. A few weeks ago two of my cousins got into a car accident. They were on the way home from cheer practice with two other girls, and one of the other girl’s dads was driving. At an intersection, a teenage boy ran a red light, hit the truck they were in, and tipped it over. Luckily no one was seriously hurt but because of this boy’s irresponsible driving, he could have killed somebody and he totaled the truck of the other car. He is going to have to face what he did and could possibly get his license suspended or taken away because of him causing an accident from running a red light. Some steps that can be taken to become a better and safer driver are: 1) learn the rules of the road, 2) make sure that the person who is driving is responsible and is a safe driver, 3) never drive after drinking any amount, same goes for doing drugs, 4) never get into a car with someone that has been drinking or doing drugs, 5) drive the speed limit, 6) pay attention to road signs and traffic light colors, 7) avoid getting on electronics, 8) adjust the air conditioning, music, mirrors, etc. before you start to drive, and 9) pay attention to wild animals especially in rural or wooded areas. I think another good thing for teens to learn when they have their temporary license or when first getting their license is what to do in different weather situations. It is also important to make sure that if you are going somewhere unfamiliar and are using a GPS that you are still following the laws of the road and paying attention to road signs as sometimes the GPS can tell you to turn a certain way you are not supposed to or do things that are illegal like doing U-turns. I think that making teens take driver’s ed is a good thing however, I think that there should be more taught and that it is not just something that teens check off their to-do list. Driving is a scary thing and if teens are not being cautious about how they are driving it could result in the death of someone else or the death of themself. I do like how in order to get a license you have to get a certain amount of hours both day and night with a parent or guardian, do in cars or lessons with a professional, take drivers ed, and pass a test so that they know you are ready to drive. I think that for the most part, this works out well but I also know some people that probably should not be allowed to drive. I just think that to ensure we have safe drivers is to have a class that people have to take every so often and that they have to “pass” in order to continue to drive. I think another good thing that should be taught more in-depth is emotions and driving. When you are very sad or angry you will not be thinking straight and will not be completely focused on the road and how you are driving. That could lead to accidents, missing turns, deaths, or anything like that. Another thing that I think people do not think about once they have had their licenses for a while is that not every new driver has a “student driver” sticker on their vehicle. Some people get really angry when cars are going below the speed limit or are holding up traffic, but by getting mad and honking the young driver will just get more nervous and might drive slower. It is hard to be patient but I think that things would be better if people were more thoughtful of younger and new, inexperienced drivers. Driving is a scary and big thing when first starting out, and it is even scarier the first time you drive on your own. It is better for these young drivers to be cautious and slow, than reckless and fast, which could pose a danger to those around them.