2022 Drivers Education

Driving is part of almost everyone’s daily routine. One does not think twice about getting in the car and driving to a desired location, so it becomes so natural to people that they sometimes forget to take into consideration that driving is one of the most dangerous things they can do. Understanding the importance of driving, being responsible on the road, and using specific tools for young drivers behind the wheel are all ways we can take precautions for driving.

The importance of driver education is not acknowledged enough by those behind the wheel. Every time someone gets behind the wheel not only are they risking the lives of themselves or fellow passengers in their car, but they are also risking the lives of other drivers on the road. Driver education can limit the chances of accidents, while also getting people to their desired location safely. There are many people who drive without their license or have never even taken drivers’ education. There is a statistic that states 40% of drivers today would fail the driver’s exam if they were made to retake it. I think that drivers should be mandated to take a driving test every 10 years as this will help to refresh their driving skills and knowledge of current laws. Overall, driving education is a topic that goes unnoticed throughout our daily lives, and I feel should be proclaimed more.

Additionally, there are more than enough steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Starting with driving at the speed limit, the percentage of accidents caused from just speeding alone is close to twenty percent. Speeding decreases your time and distance to brake and severely increases your chance of forceful impact into another auto or some structure close to your driving path. Therefore, it is very important for drivers to stay at the speed limit or below if weather conditions worsen, which falls under the category of obeying traffic laws – the obvious law that most people still do not seem to obey. If one is switching lanes always use your blinker to alert the drivers around you that they are trying to get over, while simultaneously checking all surroundings. Always pay attention to traffic lights and do not run red lights under any circumstance. Since the red-light cameras are no longer enforced in many cities or states, this gives some people a false belief that they can run the red light if no one is around…an extremely dangerous practice.

Of course, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication, is about twenty eight percent of all deaths or accidents annually. Medications that especially cause drowsiness or state that you should not drive or operate machinery are common and driving while under medication can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. Acknowledging and understanding that you are not in a state of responsible driving, whether it be caused by alcohol or medication, is one of the number one steps for driving responsibly. Having a car that is in great mechanical condition and does not need any maintenance helps to prevent putting someone’s life or the life of others at risk. Always make sure your car does not have any warning lights or does not make any unusual noises. You should regularly do a ‘walk around’ on your car to look at any driving lights that may have gone out or other items such as tire conditions.

I have had an experience of being extremely close to being in a car accident. It was winter and there were icy roads. We were crossing a bridge that appeared to have no ice but there was a patch of black ice that we drove over, which completely spun our car 360 degrees multiple times. This was one of the scariest moments of my life that I will never forget how lucky I am or anyone else in the car to not have a scratch on us. My family members tend to drive very responsibly and defensibly so this turn of events scared us all. Now my family member and I avoid driving in the ice or in below freezing conditions, even if it is said that ‘no ice’ is on the roads.

There are many steps that can be taken to be a better and safer driver as well as help other drivers on the road. Starting with avoiding distractions, a less noticed irresponsibility of driving, that can be from music, food, arguing in the car, talking, backseat drivers, or an electronic device. Another practice to be responsible in your driving that is often overlooked is being stressed out or in a troubled state of mind. Crying can cause one to be distracted and not have visual focus around them which causes them to become an irresponsible driver. Being a responsible driver also consists of being able to think defensibly while driving since responsible driving is not limited to just one’s own actions, but also the ability to anticipate bad actions from other drivers. In other words, a good driver should be able to think proactively through situations that may result from poor driver actions on the road. These are all attributes that can contribute to responsible driving. Acknowledging and understanding these responsibilities when it comes to driving is a necessity for drivers behind the wheel.

In conclusion, the importance of driver education is often a matter of life and death and something that should be taken more seriously than it has been in the past. There are many steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving, starting with obeying traffic laws and being a defensive driver. When drivers practice safe driving techniques, they can prevent harm to themselves and drivers around them.