Drive to Stay Alive

1Why is driver education so important? Driver education is an important educational course to take for anyone interested in getting a license. The current driver education course teaches an abundance of information, i.e., the basic rules of the road, reading road signs properly, consequences of driving under the influence, the importance of speed limits, and penalties associated with reckless driving, and more; however, I believe it falls short in making an impact on new drivers in the short and long term. The more driver education courses available and offered, the rate of accidents and deaths on the road would reduce because better drivers make for safer, smarter drivers traveling on the roads.

With that being said, the first step that should be taken to reduce the number of deaths on the road each year should begin with new drivers. Driver education should be made a mandatory course taught at every high school, including private and public schools. The number of hours currently in place for the course is insufficient, not enough time is spent on enforcing the rules and the scenarios that may arise while on the road. When a grade is placed on a report card, teens tend to pay closer attention and try harder. Also, weekly grades and projects given to the students to reinforce and place emphasis on the material, more specifically, why the rules of the road are important and the different scenarios that arise while driving, then the class would have more of an impact and become more effective. The course could end in various role-played scenarios wherein students are given actual circumstances surrounding various accidents and are able to reenact actual accidents and how or why the accidents could have been avoided, i.e., rushing on the road, playing behind the wheel, avoiding a distracted driver in another car, or a scenario with a drunk driver or a driver with road rage. In addition, annual online refresher courses through the age of 25 should be mandatory as a person’s level of maturity is not completely developed until the age of 25. With regard to the mandatory additional refresher course, I would also put an incentive in place for individuals who have zero accidents and/or zero tickets for first five years of driving. Incorporating these additional steps may prove beneficial in reducing the number of deaths related to driving each year.

The next step and probably the most important step that should be taken, or for that matter, anyone can take in becoming a better driver or safer on the road, is leading by example. I am known to turn my phone off while driving. I consider this to be influential to my peers, also making the statement that I will not allow myself to be distracted by their phones either. In addition, being the example when it comes to never mix drinking and driving means zero tolerance, period. Hence, it is a reminder that we may be responsible drivers, but we are not the only ones on the road, and we need to stay alert to react accordingly.  Leading by example means being responsible even when it is not popular.

Since most of my friends already have their licenses, I had opportunities to ride along with some of them. On several occasions I have witnessed friends and even family members driving irresponsibly, looking at their devices, or just not paying attention to the road. Being a passenger in a car with an irresponsible driver is terrifying, because you are literally putting your life in their hands. My parents taught me to be a careful, responsible driver as soon as the law allowed them to do so. I began learning to drive in my small town, eventually learning to get on the interstate and drive a few towns over. When I am behind the wheel, it is my job to keep myself and my friends safe. Otherwise, I would have to live with the consequences of being irresponsible. For these reasons, I prefer to be the designated driver rather than being a passenger in a friend’s car. I strive to be a responsible example every single day to my peers and to others, and I believe that there is power in knowledge, and knowledge changes mind sets. With that being said, I would like to suggest the additional driver education course be implemented, and the mandatory continuing driver education course be offered to new drivers as it would allow for fewer vehicle accidents and less deaths on the roads. It takes one person to stand up and suggest a change, and I want that person to be me.