Driver Education is Key

Ever since the idea of a car was made into a reality, it has absolutely changed the world as we know it. It is hard to even imagine a world without cars in this day and age. Although cars are beneficial for us because it gives us a sense of freedom and transportation, it comes with an immense responsibility for not only yourself, but any passengers you may have, and other drivers you share the road with.

Driver education is very important. The education that drivers and future drivers receive can be a matter of life and death. Driver education provides a new level and true understanding of what it means to be a driver. It helps you become a responsible driver with the knowledge of situations you may or may not encounter while driving. Such as knowing what to do if you get into a car accident or adapting to an unfamiliar area road rule. Driver education instills confidence and awareness for the future driver, as well as fixing any bad habits. As someone who has taken driving education both in the classroom and on the road, I would not be the responsible and aware driver that I am today without the necessary knowledge that has been taught to me.

Driver education isn’t the only thing that can reduce the number of car related deaths though. A multitude of different techniques and awareness can prevent car-related deaths such as being aware of the traffic laws in your area. Different areas may have different laws than others, such as a certain speed limit being 25 in one neighborhood, while in another it may be 30. Those 5 miles can be the difference between preventing an accident. An important step that can be taken is being aware of present and incoming weather, as well as hazards that may belong to the specific weather, such as “Road May Flood.” Another step that can be taken is truly honest with yourself, listening to your instincts. If you feel like a certain part of the road is dangerous, report it or one day you may be driving and notice the behavior of someone’s car on the road alongside you and you feel uncomfortable, report it. Never feel guilty for voicing your concerns, because those concerns come from a place of intuition and knowledge. Some steps I personally take to be a better and safer driver are following my gut instincts, for example if I know I’m feeling tired I don’t. I do not want my tiredness to be a risk that causes me or someone else to get into a car accident. I also ask questions if I’m unsure about anything such as rules for headlights or road laws for certain weather. I reason my questioning with “It is better to be safe than sorry.” Which simply translates it is better to know than to not know. Because not knowing can cost a life.

But despite being a safe driver and doing everything you are supposed to do, the threat of car-related deaths will always be there. I have been fortunate enough to never have been in a car accident myself, but I do have people in my life that have been in car accidents. One was my best friend, I remember the day so clearly, October 22, 2022. I remember getting the call from her little sister saying that she was in a car accident, I remember panicking because I did not know what to do. All I knew was that I needed to go to her. I see the way it affects her, she herself has voiced the way the car accident affected her. I feel so helpless sometimes because all I can do is listen and validate her feelings, because whatever she feels is valid, I just wish I could do more. I wish I could take the pain and the side effects away from her. The other person that was involved in a car accident was my grandpa. Both accidents happened in the same year. I remember him telling him the story of what happened, and it absolutely scared me because he could have lost his life because of someone else’s mistake. Every day I am grateful that they are alive and continuing life. I may not have been in those accidents myself, but they affected me too. They remind me to always be a safe and responsible driver and to be cautious and aware when I’m on the road for not only my protection but others as well.