The Importance of Driver Education

Each year, millions of people worldwide die due to car accidents. Many of these losses could have been avoided with proper driving education. Driver education is crucial in reducing vehicular fatalities. In a typical course, young and inexperienced drivers learn, in depth, how to properly manage and operate a vehicle on public roads. Driver education teaches individuals the rules of the road, how to properly operate and maintain a vehicle, and the importance of driving safely.

There are numerous laws and rules that a driver must first understand before getting behind the wheel. For example, there are many ways to navigate turning lanes and traffic lights, including right of way and making left-hand turns. Driver education teaches new drivers all the possible scenarios for these situations, thereby reducing the possibility for wrecks and collisions. Driver education also teaches the significance of common signs seen on roadways. Identifying and understanding speed limit signs, school zones, and pedestrian crosswalks can save the lives of those within the vehicle, as well as those outside.

Driver education teaches new drivers how to use a vehicle and how to keep it in quality condition. Before attending this course, I had no idea what a parking brake was. Now, I understand where it is in my vehicle, how it functions, and when it should be used. I was also taught what different lights on my dashboard indicated and if they would endanger my driving. One of the most interesting items I learned was what to do if a blowout occurred. Blowouts are very common and can be fatal at high speeds. Driving education taught me how to react to a blowout, a lesson that could save my life and the life of others.

The importance of driving safely was emphasized throughout the entire course. Two leading causes of vehicular fatality are distracted driving and driving under the influence. Distracted driving can include texting on a cellular device, eating and drinking, or even talking to those within the car. To ensure the safety of those on the roadway, it is imperative that the driver is focused solely on the vehicle’s surrounding environment. Driving under the influence commonly refers to those operating a vehicle while intoxicated with either alcohol or drugs. These substances severely impair the driver’s judgement and vision, leaving many lives at risk. During my driver education course, our teachers had a member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving tell us about her son’s fatality due to a drunk driving incident. It was heartbreaking to hear how an impaired decision could leave family and friends in so much grief.

Though I have never been personally involved in a car accident, I have seen many of my peers and friends driving irresponsibly. I frequently see kids my age post on social media about driving while drunk. It is illegal for kids my age to consume alcohol, much less to drive while under the influence of it. Many of these individuals have wrecked their vehicles and received DUIs in consequence. Similarly, one of my closest friends frequently texts and uses her phone while driving. I worry for her safety, as I realize cellular distraction is one of the most common causes of vehicular fatality. My friends and family hold a special place in my heart and I would hate for anything bad to happen to them as a result of an irresponsible action.

Many steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. For example, I believe that driving tests should be made more challenging. I studied intensely before taking the written portion of my driving exam. However, during the exam, I felt confident I could have passed without such rigorous studying. Similarly, there were several students in my class that did not pay attention at all during the course, but still passed with flying colors. Making the exams more difficult will ensure that students pay more attention during the course and sufficiently learn driving laws and etiquette.

I can become a safer driver by taking more careful notice of my surroundings and using my knowledge of transportation laws to navigate roadways. It is important for me to practice defensive driving by looking for signs of those operating a vehicle inappropriately or those that may be driving distracted. I can prevent distracted driving from occurring by limiting the number of people riding in my vehicle and by waiting to use my phone until I have arrived at my final destination. Lastly, I can help others become safer on the road by petitioning for more difficult driving exams. I could use my social media platforms to advocate for this idea and eventually gain enough supporters for the state government and Department of Transportation and Development.