The Importance of Driver’s Education

Peace Okoro

DmvEdu.org

Driver’s Education

12 March 2021

The Importance of Driver’s Education

Driver safety is a serious issue that needs to be discussed much more in my opinion. Driver education is especially important if we want to start helping reduce the number of deaths related to driving. According to usafacts.org in 2019, there were 228,679,719 licensed drivers (Licensed Drivers). Of that number, how many of them do you think practice safe driving? Driver safety should be important to everyone because there are several lives, of all ages, being put at risk any moment we decide to get on the road. We need to make sure that we are taking the proper precautions to ensure our individual safety, the safety of the passengers in our car, and be sure to consider the safety of other individuals on the road. Everyone deserves and should feel safe and in order for them to we need driver safety to be used.

Both new and experienced drivers need to think about driver’s safety when they’re on the road. I believe awareness is the first and main thing that should be used to help reduce driving deaths or any deaths that are caused by driving. While spreading information is I do not believe that general educational clips, information, or studies are what’s going to help combat the issue. Detailed information needs to be spoken about and passed around so that everyone is properly educated. For example, according to nhtsa.gov, 9,378 deaths happened due to speeding in 2018. Of those deaths, 48% of people did not have a seatbelt on (Speeding). With these stats, we can help encourage people to drive at the speed limit and wear seatbelts even if it’s for a quick trip to the grocery store.

Another step is starting driver’s education at a younger age. We should not wait until someone is 21 to let them know that drunk driving or texting while driving is very bad. According to studies, the group that has the highest rate of traffic accidents is teen drivers. The reason I say we should educate them earlier and not move the driver’s age to obtain a learner’s permit or driver’s license is because the article also states that no matter what age you start, the first year of driving will be dangerous no matter what. We can find unique ways to educate soon to be drivers young. At my high school, I recall a company bringing a model car and provided us these glasses so it could act as a simulation for drunk driving. Although I could not drive at the time it’s still something I remember vividly to this day. We need to bring awareness to driver’s safety in ways that will help and ingrain the information into our minds. I believe that if we start proper driver’s education with unique methods at the age where kids are about to start driving, it will help to decrease the deaths related to driving.

Another thing I believe could be done to improve safety on the roads is require the test to be taken after a certain number of years. Drive-safely.net article states that 40% of licensed drivers would fail the written exam if they were to take it today. It makes sense, as we continue to drive after so many years, we can forget a couple of things that we learned. A 40-year-old driver is not going to recall everything they learned when they took the test at 15-18. If we require the driving exam to be taken every 10 years or so, it will help keep people updated and refreshed on the information.

Unfortunately, I have had both friends and family who have been in car accidents from irresponsible drivers, and it impacted everyone close to them in a big way. It was one of the scariest things to experience because, in two of the situations, I was not sure if they were going to come out alive since they had faced serious injuries. It was hard to experience that and try to continue my everyday life while I waited for any updates, but it made me a much stronger advocate for driver safety. I do not want anyone to have to experience any of what I want through. My emotions were all over the place and I was so terrified.

I believe we need to hold communities and individuals, like ourselves, more accountable. One way I can make the road a safer place is by making sure I am aware of my surroundings. My focus should be on the road and what’s happening on the road at all times. I can also take my own advice and make sure I know what’s at risk every time I enter a car. I do not want to start thinking, “what are the chances of it happening to me?” because it can happen. Sadly, it can happen to anyone no matter who is in the car. A step everyone can take to help encourage safe driving on the road is by discouraging unsafe habits. Does the driver want the song changed? No problem, grab their phone and change it for them. Do they need to reply to someone? That’s fine, ask if you guys can pull over to be sure everyone is safe before they send their text sent through. No one should ask “what ifs” and be in situations that could have been prevented. Driver safety is incredibly important to me and I want everyone to be safe and careful on the road.

Works Cited

“Licensed Drivers.” USAFacts, usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/transportation/safety/licensed-drivers/

“Speeding.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.