Driver’s Education: The Solution to a National Crisis

I had just pulled into my parent’s driveway when I received the text that changed my perception on life. Unknowing of what I was about to hear, I put the car in park, and read the message on my screen. My best friend had let me know that one of our classmate’s siblings had died in a car accident. One of the passengers tragically died, a girl about the age of twenty, and the other two were injured. Further, her brother, the driver, was sentenced to life in prison for killing his sister. Their family was destroyed. As a senior in high school, this experience was extremely eye opening. My heart felt for the family whose lives were turned upside down due to a single mistake that was made when passing through a blinking red traffic light. Although I wish differently for this family, I am grateful for having the opportunity that Driver’s Education gave me to learn traffic laws that can be sometimes overlooked, like it was by my classmates. Taking a Driver’s Education course before driving is extremely important because it teaches inexperienced drivers about laws and techniques that can be life saving.

According to the article, “USDOT Releases New Data Showing that Road Fatalities Spiked in First Half of 2021” from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 20,160 United States citizens died in car crashes in the first half of 2021 alone. The administration considers this data a “crisis.” A solution to the crisis is Driver’s Education. According to the article, driving without a seatbelt was a primary cause of fatalities. Taking Driver’s Education can teach people the importance of practicing driver’s safety techniques, such as wearing a seatbelt. If drivers are made more aware of what a simple habit like wearing a seatbelt can do to protect themselves and others, they will be more likely to carry out safe driving measures.

In the Driver’s Education course I took as a teenager, I was taught many steps that can be taken to reduce the number of motor vehicle related incidents. One of which is to avoid distractions when driving. Many factors can influence a driver’s attention to the road, such as cell phones, music, and conversations. While there are laws in place to reduce the effect of these distractions, people are not always held accountable, which puts lives in danger. Drivers must continue to be educated about the importance of paying attention to the task ahead. Further, laws should continue to be passed that reduce phone usage while driving, contorl music volumes, and limit the number of people allowed to ride as passengers in a new driver’s car. Finally, all drivers should be made aware of the safety precautions they can implement on their own. For instance, some cars and phones have apps that monitor the volume of music and incoming cell phone notifications. Additionally, drivers and passengers should work together to maintain the driver’s focus on the road. Managing distractions can be an effective way to keep drivers safe.

A final step to making driving safer is educating drivers, and one way to do this is through Driver’s Education. In the class, students learn about their state’s and nation’s driving laws. Students have the opportunity to learn about the functions of a car’s motor and can see demonstrations of how to drive defensively. Finally, students learn to drive by first driving with an instructor, then driving with an experienced adult, such as a parent or guardian. This is very effective in comparison to watching a parent drive and then simply getting a license when turning 18 years old. It gives new drivers a chance to become familiar with driving rules before even stepping foot in a car. Once it is time to begin driving, students have had an experienced, educated passenger to help teach them safe driving habits. Driver’s Education is very effective in reducing traffic-related fatalities, and new drivers must take it upon themselves to learn about driving safety precautions before beginning their driving experience.

The United States is having a crisis involving car accidents, and Driver’s Education is an effective solution to the problem. The course can teach drivers about traffic laws and roadway safety tips, such as practicing defensive driving. In addition, to solve the national crisis, laws should continue to be implemented that support drivers’ safety. Drivers and passengers should educate themselves about these laws, and people should be educated on ways to maintain focus on the road. As a nation, United States citizens must work together to make American roadways safer. Driver’s Education is a great way to train new drivers as they approach the world from behind the wheel.

Works Cited

Office, Press. “USDOT Releases New Data Showing That Road Fatalities Spiked in First Half of 2021.” NHTSA, DOT, 28 Oct. 2021, https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/usdot-releases-new-data-showing-road-fatalities-spiked-first-half-2021.