The importance of drivers education

The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving is significant because drivers education courses teach young drivers judgment, common sense, and defensive driving skills. Studies have shown that “young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident.” Driver education courses teach young drivers the important factors about driving in all sorts of different weather. Winter and rainy weather are dangerous for even the most experienced driver. A new study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years has found that driver’s education significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. I myself took driver’s education. I learned so much in drivers education that has shaped me to the driver I am today. I learned the meaning of road signs, the dangers of distracted driving, and all the road laws. Driver’s education is very important because you learn all the responsibilities of being a driver, how to drive safely, and how to prevent yourself from being in a car accident.

Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving include: obeying the traffic laws, being predictable, avoiding distractions, driving rested, and steering clear of alcohol and drugs. It is also extraordinarily important that you wear a seatbelt and ensure your passengers are as well, turn your cell phone off and observe the speed limit. I do my absolute best to follow all of these rules and regulations. It is also important to signal every time you plan on turning on merging lanes. You should also always be checking your mirrors every few seconds. When driving, try to keep a safe enough distance that allows you to safely break in a timely manner. Keeping your distance from other cars will allow you to keep an eye on what is happening and give you enough time to react. And when it comes to drinking, never get behind the wheel or let anyone you know do so. Always try to find a designated driver to ensure that you and others arrive safely at your destinations.

As for myself, I have never had the experience of being in a car accident. But so many of my family members have been involved in them. My mother was involved in a car accident where a driver was not paying attention and was speeding down the road. My mother was at a red light and thought the driver would eventually slow down, but it was too late and he hit my mom’s car, completely totaling it. Then there’s my sister who was also rear ended at a red light, while having her baby in the backseat. And once again, the driver was not paying attention. Next is my father, his truck accident actually left him disabled. It was a rainy day and my father was driving his 18 wheeler home from work when a man in a porsche sped past my father’s truck and spun out of control leaving my dad not enough time to brake and react. Lastly is my cousin who lost control of his vehicle and flew out of his windshield and landed in a cornfield. He was found a few hours later barely breathing from a driver who noticed his upside down vehicle.

There have been countless times where I have seen my family members and friends driving irresponsibly. One thing that I have noticed in my friends and family is that they all have a speeding problem. I always try to inform them about the dangers of speeding but they all do it anyway because they love to show off their nice cars. Not knowing that they are putting my life, theirs, and other drivers on the road lives at risk. Also they all have a problem with staying off of their phone which is the worst possible thing you could do while driving. In drivers education we learned about so many deaths from texting and driving that has shown me how dangerous it can really be. Sending that one text could change your life forever.

Steps that I could take to be a better and safer driver would be turning off my cell phone when entering my vehicle, making sure all my passengers are wearing a seatbelt, and following all the rules of the road. I could help others become safer on the road by informing them of the dangers of texting and driving and not properly following the safety laws of the road.