Drivers Education Importance

I have been driving for a little less than two years and I have since realized truly how important drivers education is. I was required to take drivers education classes, take a written permit test drive with a parent for a certain number of hours, drive with an instructor for two hours- three times- for a total of 6 hours, and required to take the driver’s test with the licensor. I really felt like I learned the importance of driving safely and feel like I know the best way to try to avoid accidents.

Drivers education is one of many ways to help prevent and avoid accidents. Drivers education can help prevent parents from losing children, a wife from losing her husband, a husband from losing his wife and children. Some of the basic things that are taught in drivers education to prevent accidents are buckling seat belts, do not drink and drive, do whatever you need to do on your phone before you start driving, get everything situated before you take off, do not take any medication or anything that could impair your ability to drive and focus properly, find a designated driver if you think you’re going to be under the influence of something that night. Driving while exhausted can also cause an accident because you could fall asleep behind the wheel which could not only endanger your life, but others who are also on the road. Another factor that people don’t usually do not think about is eye issues or illnesses such as diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, or night blindness. These can also cause accidents. One example of drinking and driving that I have witnessed, is someone was drinking and decided to drive friends home and got pulled over. He lost his license and vehicle, sat in jail, was on house arrest, two years of probation, and has intoxalock for three years, raised his insurance, lost his job, had to attend AA and MADD classes, and it will be on his record for 10 years. One thing that our instructor said is that speeding doesn’t really get you to where you are going any faster, in fact it could take longer, or you may not get there at all. That has really stuck with me when I am late to something, and I want to speed to get there.

We are all guilty of picking up our phone while driving, even if it is just to check a notification. That two seconds could easily cause an accident. I have seen the aftermath of a friend being in a car accident from a drunk driver who was texting and driving, and it has changed his life forever, and his family’s. There are things that he will never be able to do again, and the driver has to deal with knowing what he has done. Even if you have your eyes on the road but are zoned out or have your mind somewhere else, besides the road, your full focus is not on the road which can prevent you from seeing the danger that could be around you. Drivers education also helps you prevent or avoid an accident. Just because you are paying full attention to the road does not mean that the person in oncoming traffic, behind you, or in front of you are. One example that has happened in my life involved my dad. He was turning into a farm driveway and a guy that was out on a call to go fix an AC unit picked up his phone to find an address and slammed into my dad at 60 miles per hour, all because he looked at his phone to find an address.

There are many ways to help others be safer on the roads. One specific way is: if a friend doesn’t feel comfortable driving to a specific place or does not feel well, and you can drive and feel comfortable doing so, you could drive. If someone has a burned-out taillight or blinker you can try to stop them or try to find a way to let them know. One thing that is in my county is McLeod County towards Zero Deaths. It is a program that promotes safety towards traffic related injuries and fatalities.

Another important factor that was talked about in drivers education was about vehicle maintenance. Breaking down while driving is very dangerous If the driver is not prepared for it, such as what to do if your tire blows or if something in your engine goes out and causes the vehicle to shut down. Replacing burned out lights, such as taillights, break lights, or blinkers, to help other drivers see what you are intending to do so they know you are turning or stopping.

Overall, driver education is very beneficial to all drivers. It helps them be prepared for what could happen on the road and how to try to prevent accidents. By your decision to drive distracted or under the influence you could be the cause of someone not going home to their family.