The Importance of Driver’s Ed: Making the Road a Safer Place

Driver’s Education is essential for every new teen driver. It has been statistically proven that Driver’s Ed reduces crashes in new drivers. New drivers need to learn the rules of the road before they step into the driver’s seat. In today’s world, the automobile is an extremely popular mode of transport, and the world is made up of an intricate system of traffic and roads. The road can be quite complicated when there are millions of other drivers present, with hundreds of different traffic signs and rules to follow.

Driver’s Ed covers these basic rules of the road. Driver’s Ed informs teens about basic traffic rules, such as right-of-way and merging on highways. It also familiarises teens with the many different regulatory, warning, and guide signs on the sides of roads, such as yield and speed limit, and how to properly react to such signs. Furthermore, Driver’s Ed also explains the many precautions a teen driver will have to take, such as checking if the lights and wipers work, and what to do in dangerous situations, such as when the brake may get jammed.

This basic knowledge of the road prevents many crashes; it ensures a systematic and orderly approach to driving for all experienced and new drivers in accordance with state laws. Driver’s Ed provides this basic knowledge, necessary for the safety of the driver and other drivers on the road. When all drivers successfully integrate their Driver’s Ed information on the real road, it lessens the likelihood of accidents and collisions on the road. Therefore a Driver’s Ed course is very much important for the safety of the driver and other people on the road.

I believe that reducing the number of deaths related to driving would require stricter regulations on the road and possibly technological innovations in cars. One aspect of these stricter regulations should be speeding. Speed kills. There is no doubt that the impact of a crash and its effects could be reduced if the vehicle(s) were to travel at a reduced speed. Speeding alone has resulted in a significant number of crashes, and it has worsened the conditions of drivers and passengers in the vehicle themselves. It is never safe to speed over the specified speed limit, especially if other vehicles are driving appropriately. Speeding puts everyone on the road in danger, leading to possible death. There are two possible solutions to stop even the most adamant drivers from speeding.

One solution is to increase law enforcement or the use of cameras on the road (especially highways) to monitor possible drivers who may be speeding and are posing a threat to themselves and other drivers around them. And the added law enforcement on highways could respond quickly in the unlikely event of a collision. Cameras, possibly at every highway sign, would be effective in monitoring driver’s license plates, in case some may decide to speed.

Another solution could be that the state could choose to put speed limiters on cars. If agreed to with the specific car manufacturer, cars could be prevented from crossing a specific speed limit in certain sections of the state (depending on where one may be driving, highway, city, etc). Restricting the speed of a car to the specified speed limit of that road (possibly through GPS tracking) effectively eliminates any chance of collisions occurring due to speeding, as long as the car is driven safely.

Another aspect of these stricter regulations should be alcohol. Drunk driving is dangerous because it diminishes one’s senses, impairing driving. There should be very strict regulations as to driving drunk to prevent unnecessary accidents. Although regulations on alcohol are harder to enforce than safety precautions on speeding (since in most cases law enforcement can only stop drunk drivers on the road but not prevent them from entering the car in the first place) advancing technology in cars could be a solution to this.

Cars in the future might be able to detect drunk driving based on erratic steering wheel motions, drowsy eye sensors, or maybe even a complicated BAC level system. In theory, such practices could reduce deaths by a significant amount on the road. Other factors of death on the road, such as distracted driving, could again be reduced by even stricter driving laws, and advanced technology in cars themselves.

I am a strict rule follower, so I have never crossed the speed limit by more than 3 miles per hour (due to speed fluctuations). However, I often see many drivers, including some of my friends, drive 5 to 10 miles per hour above the speed limit. I believe that it is my responsibility to make the road a safer place. I continually remind my friends when they may be speeding and advise them to slow down to the limit, which they willingly do.

I will strive to be the best driver I can, and maintain all precautions no matter what. By always checking my car’s conditions, driving the speed limit, and following signs when appropriate, I am not only making sure I drive safely but am also setting a precedent for others to follow and make sure they drive safely to reduce the chances of accidents on the road. I will also make an effort to inform other drivers of safety precautions if they may not be aware. As a teenager reaching adulthood, I want to enjoy driving my car and ensure the safety of myself and other drivers on the road through defensive driving practices.