Drivers education

May 11, 2018, will forever be etched in my brain. It was 11pm and my mom got the call that my big sister had been in a horrible car accident. She was a senior in high school; She went to school to assist in the senior prank. Right after they all decided to go to Waffle House to eat. A peer driver cut in front of my sister, she lost control of the vehicle, and flipped over throwing her best friend out of the Windshield. My sister had to be cut out of the truck with the “Jaws of life.” My mom’s new truck was totaled. It was an awful lesson to learn. My sister and her friend did so many things wrong that night. One, my sister’s best friend was not wearing a seatbelt. Two, the friend that cut her off in traffic thought it would be fun to race her. Third, both drivers were distracted by their phones. This story has become my baseline for safe driving.

To start, Drivers’ Education saves lives. My mom has always expressed the importance of Driver’s Education. Being aware of the dangers that lurk in the streets just in everyday driving can save lives. My sister’s accident was preventable, she attended Drivers’ Ed and made an “A” in the course. However, she forgot to apply theory to real world experience. When driver instructors tell students in class that using a phone while driving is more deadly than drinking and driving, it’s worth taking note and practicing. By that same logic, maintaining control over the vehicle is imperative. Common sense and course content tells us that speeding in a 3000lb hunk of metal is deadly. Bottom line, being informed of what to expect and how to respond will certainly keep me safe. So many lives are spared because of the awareness and education of driving. It teaches anything from how to read road signs to how to make a right turn. Though they may sound very simple, the smallest detail can create a deadly accident or prevent one. My sister would be very angry with me for saying this but her accident was preventable… She was driving too fast while trying to adjust music on her phone. Her friend was too busy try to be cool and hang out the sunroof instead of sitting in the seat with her seatbelt buckled!

To add, safety goes beyond knowing the road rules. It’s pretty clear that understanding signs, driving procedures, and adhering to safety rules ensure that we are all safe while driving. However, some things are not emphasized enough in Drivers’ Ed Class. For me, those two important elements are Patience and Courtesy. I cannot list the number of times I cut on my signal to change lanes but no one would let me over. So, I had to be patient and refrain from doing something dangerous that could jeopardize myself or another driver. Funny thing about that is most drivers are impatient. Most drivers take unnecessary risks. Impatient drivers probably make up 60% of car accidents. They feel entitled to not follow rules and do as they please endangering others. A step that I would take would be to add a social-emotional component to the Driver’s Ed course. People should practice courtesy when driving. Courteous driving should also be taught as an entire unit just like “Road Signs” or making left turns. I would even go as far to say there should be a driving simulation that includes a scenario requiring Driver’s Education students to make courteous choices or involves them demonstrating patience in a driving situation. The road test often involves scenarios. Why not include one or both of these to all Drivers’ Ed course? At the very minimum it will help change the mindset of generation of young, anxious drivers before they come angry, road- raged drivers. Drivers that demonstrate patience and courtesy probably have fewer accidents and lower car insurance as well. Driver’s Education is one of the most important life skills anyone can learn. I know that these two things alone would not solve all of the driving problems but it would certainly help.

Another huge driving challenge is “distracted driving,” Cell phones are glued to our hands and no one wants to miss a text, call, or meme that keeps them in the ‘know.” The crazy part is adults, elderly, and young people all have this same problem. The good news, states are headed in the right direction with creating laws against phone use while driving. Equally important, cell phone companies have automated messages that state the driver is operating a vehicle and can’t answer the phone. Car manufacturers have made cars and phones compatible where we can speak “hands free.” We can even ask Siri to open up our music application and play a specific song. Yet, with all of these measures the problem still exists. In the future an additional safety feature could when your car detects a phone, it won’t start until it’s locked down in a specific area. The phone will be available for certain usage like navigation, or music selections on voice command. The phone would have to stay in lock down mode until the car is in park and turned off. It’s worth a try to save lives.

In closing, Drivers’ Education is the cornerstone for driving safely and saving lives. Unfortunately, I have seen up close and personal where the privilege of driving can turn deadly, quickly. The worst feeling that night of the accident was being told my sister and her friend were dead. The hospital was full of her classmates and teachers. My mother cried so hard her face was discolored. Luckily the rumors were not true. My sister was injured but recovered. Her friend was in a comma for the next 4 days. They both graduated in matching wheel chairs. As a result, I made the vow to myself that I will drive responsibly, patiently, and courteously. I take the lessons learned in my Drivers’ Education class seriously. Even if my motivation is riddled in fear, the end result is to be a better driver.