Select Page

Driver Education Round 1 – The driver’s education I had before Driver’s Education

Name: Sofia
 
Votes: 0

The driver’s education I had before Driver’s Education

Driver’s education is one of the most important classes a person will take during their lifetime. While teaching the rules of the road, it also teaches many safety lessons, and hits hard on the great responsibility that driving is. I remember my driving class showing films of the horrendous outcomes of drunk drivers, distracted drivers, and reckless driving. These images stuck with me for many reasons but largely because of the driver’s education that I had before I ever took my formal driver’s ed class.

My brother is about ten years older than me and in spring of his high school senior year he used to drive to school with three of his football buddies. On this one day he had an appointment and did not go in with the boys. These were good boys. They got decent grades, played sports, and did not drink alcohol or use drugs. They were kind and well-liked by others. The three seniors drove to school on the short highway stretch, reportedly driving the speed limit around seven in the morning. During their trip they failed to follow two very important laws, driver’s ed 101 if you will. As they drove, the driver had his phone within reach, and he received a notification. In true teenage fashion, without thinking he grabbed his phone to quickly look at a text. This action caused the car to swerve slightly, and the tire caught the edge of the road where it meets the dirt. The driver immediately lost control of the car causing it to flip over two times. The quarterback of the football team, Andrew, who was sitting in the back unrestrained was launched out the back window of the car and was killed instantly. The driver and passengers were injured but survived. How could this happen?

I remember the phone call. I remember my brother screaming and crying. I remember seeing the devastated families. To this day I cannot help but think, what could that text have said. I am certain it was nothing so important as to risk someone’s life. That text could have waited. The importance of seatbelts also cannot be overstated here. The only unrestrained person did not survive the crash. Taking your eyes off the road for even a second can have devastating results. Texting and driving, even checking a text and driving is a recipe for disaster. Even years after the crash that accident is affecting those involved. The driver was charged in court with multiple counts. This kid that had no malicious intent other than making a bad decision, was placed on house arrest with an ankle bracelet for 6 months. He could only leave the house to finish his classes and had to always stay in his house. He had many court dates; he lost his license which he cannot get back until the year 2026. To this day he will tell you that he will never drive again. Years have passed, he has moved to the city where he has access to public transportation. I cannot even imagine the guilt he feels as the driver. This accident has affected all aspects of the lives of everyone involved.

Driver’s ed is so important in helping to stress these very important points. I had firsthand experience in watching this unfold for people close to me. I pray no one else will experience this, but I think the videos they showed during my driver’s ed class were graphic and the stories are upsetting but they are so important to show fellow teens what a big responsibility driving is. The laws are in place to keep people safe and not following the laws and not using safest driving practices puts everyone on the road at risk.

There are measures we can all take to remain safe drivers on the road. Driving the speed limit, undistracted driving, no texting, no intoxicated driving, and ALWAYS using seatbelts are just a few of the basics that come to my mind immediately. If everyone followed these steps it would greatly reduce the number of deaths on the road. I like to share my brother’s story with friends so they understand that this can and does happen to young people, and it could be someone you know. Driver’s ed plays a very important role in reinforcing this reality and helping to make people aware so they can prevent some of these senseless accidents. I have been driving for two years now and I try to always remember the important lessons I have learned and what a great responsibility I have as a driver.