Education Saves Lives

Ding! “Ugh what does mom want?” Ding! “Seriously another text?” Ding! “Let me see who it is.” Bang! One second of distraction can lead to lives forever changed. In a world full of a million distractions it can feel as though complete focus is an unattainable state of mind. Whether it be a phone beeping, music blasting, or kids screaming in the backseat, distractions are ubiquitous. Though certain distractions can not be eliminated, having programs such as driver education can help people gain the necessary skills and tools to be as safe as possible on the road, subsequently limiting the deaths caused by car accidents.

In any circumstance where a problem arises it is evident that the issue must be attacked from the root cause. In the case of driving, properly educating people is the first step to truly making a change. Though many experienced drivers most likely do not think twice about when to put on a turn signal or how to put the car in reverse, learning how to drive is not a straightforward task. Driving safely means taking into account many different factors. Anything from being conscious of the speed limit to accounting for the weather conditions, it is evident that there are numerous considerations to be aware of that a first time driver might not even think of.

Unfortunately, even if someone did pass their driving test it does not always mean that they will execute safe driving techniques and precautions. By young drivers participating in a program like driver education, it can teach them valuable lessons that they would not learn otherwise. In my junior year of highschool I took a driver education class through my high school. Not only did I learn more about the rules of the road in the classroom, but I was able to gain hands-on experience as well.

One of the major causes of deaths related to car accidents is due to drunk driving. Even though young adults are not legally allowed to drink, it is a common occurrence. Being ignorant to this is setting young adults up for failure. Having tough conversations about real life situations at such a young age is sometimes frowned upon. The truth however, is that regardless of someone’s age, at one point or another they will encounter difficult circumstances. The decisions they make in these times could drastically change the trajectory of their lives. Being able to open the door to conversations about difficult issues creates an environment where students feel comfortable and safe to ask for help or ask important questions. By refraining from discussing serious topics like this, students will not learn how to make safe decisions related to driving and alcohol. The first step to helping people be safe on the road is by educating them.

In the past, I have ridden with a friend who was not driving responsibility. At the time I was not able to drive yet but I was often uncomfortable when riding with her. At times she would text on her phone when she was driving or completely disregard the speed limit. I was not sure how to handle the situation at the time but if this were to happen today I would either offer to drive or have a conversation with her about the dangers of driving the way she did.

Another scary experience I had on the road was a beautiful summer day. One of my friends was driving and we were going to a local store to go shopping. You never truly understand how precious life is until you realize how fast it can be taken away. On the way to the store a truck started coming at us who was driving the opposite direction. The truck also had a trailer attached to the back of it holding wood. My friend quickly swerved out of the way and the truck did the same. Thankfully no one was hurt, however the trailer detached from the truck and went flying down the hill on the opposite side of the road. This situation showed me just how crucial it is to be alert and aware of your surroundings. If my friend had not been paying attention that situation could have ended very differently.

Being a safe driver is often difficult when there are so many unknown possibilities that can occur. One way that I can be a safer driver is by silencing my phone or turning off notifications. When I hear a “ding” it is hard to not wonder who texted and look at my phone. By having the sound off or not seeing the notifications that temptation is significantly lowered. Checking your phone is not worth losing your life. Another way that I can be a safer driver is by being conscious of the speed limit. When driving past certain areas, such as schools, it is especially important to take note of the reduced speed limit. In areas like schools it is not uncommon for kids to be playing outside or school buses to be coming and going. Traveling at a safe speed allows for me to be able to stop easily if I need to. Another way to help ensure the safety of my friends and family on the road is to start a conversation with them about safety tips and techniques that I have learned.

Driver education is essential in increasing safety on the road and reducing the number of deaths related to car accidents. Education about such a serious topic provides knowledge and understanding about how to best address problems when they arise. Knowledge means having the power to make well informed decisions that could immensely influence that outcome of certain situations. Start a conversation because you never know how many lives could be saved by the words you speak.