Why Driver Education is Important

Driver’s education is important for inexperienced drivers and even seasoned drivers in reducing the number of deaths because of driving. Young drivers, especially adolescents, may have an intense sense of false confidence when driving. Young adults are not always good at making choices and driving involves making rational and sometimes quick decisions. Seasoned drivers may have become lax with following rules and find themselves taking shortcuts that could endanger themselves and others. Taking a driver education course and continuing ones can help drivers obtain knowledge of the rules of the road, become aware of any hazards that could arise while driving, and increase confidence. Inexperienced drivers tend to look at driver education as just a class to take to get their license. They must look at it further. They need to look at driver education as a tool and resource that will help them become informed about laws, learn the mechanics of driving, and most importantly learn how to be safe and responsible drivers.

There are several steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Primarily, all drivers and passengers should wear their seatbelts. It is proven that seatbelts can prevent several fatalities. Drivers should never drive while impaired- whether it be under the influence of alcohol or substances such as prescription medicines that could cause drowsiness and even cannabis. With the legalization of cannabis, drivers who may be twenty-one and over may believe that there is no harm in driving while under the influence of marijuana because they feel relaxed. Driving with any drug that may alter one’s coherence and ability to react is dangerous and could have deadly consequences. To that point, drivers should give themselves enough time to get to their given destination. People tend to speed when they are running late or start multitasking such as texting messages that they are running late. All these aspects combined can cause a tragic accident and can be prevented by not partaking in this type of behavior while driving.

Fortunately, I have not had the experience of being in a car accident or witnessing friends and family drive irresponsibly. My parents do not allow me to drive with other teens my age nor do they allow me to have other people in the car with me when I am driving besides my sister or my girlfriend. I appreciate their strictness and being role models when they drive. They do not text while driving or exhibit any irresponsible driving behaviors. I have heard of incidents of my peers driving while distracted such as texting or taking selfies when driving. This tends to be an issue that is widespread. Younger people, even I, get caught up in the moment and do not use critical thinking skills. Though we may not be fully mature, and our frontal lobes not fully developed, we must take the time to think of how our actions can cause lifetime consequences. Driving is something new and exciting to younger people and they have already developed unpleasant habits concerning social media and tend to bring those actions into driving. The two mixed together can lead to fatal results. I hope that I never have to experience being in a car accident, causing one or hearing of my friends and family being involved in accidents or driving irresponsibly.

Finally, there are several steps I can take to become a better and safer driver. I can make sure I give myself enough time to arrive at my destination. For instance, I give myself more than enough time to get to school in the morning. As a high schooler, school starts early and coincides with rush hour. As a newer driver, I need to be fully awake and alert in the morning. Therefore, I always make sure I am rested. I am responsible for driving myself and my sister to school safely. Secondly, I can keep my cell phone at a distance so I will not be distracted from notifications and the urge to see updates on social media feeds. All those aspects of my life that are on social media can wait. Getting to my destination safely is of the utmost importance. I must follow all laws such as speed limits, slowing down at yellow lights, and keeping a few car lengths behind other cars. These steps are just the beginning of becoming a better and safer driver but are a great start. These actions and steps can be discussed with my friends and family members to keep them mindful of their own driving. My sister will be driving soon, so with her being in the passenger seat, she is watching me and looking up to me as her big brother. I must exhibit safe and responsible driving so she will be a responsible and safe driver also. Together we can all be better and safer drivers through driver education, being aware of our surroundings, following the laws and being mindful of others on the road.