What is a life worth?

The highway was packed with
traffic as far as the eye could see. A motorcycle weaved in and out
of traffic. The seconds it took for the car driver to hit the brakes
were not enough. The car collided with the motorcycle. The passenger
on the bike died, and my aunt was charged with manslaughter at just
20 years old, four years after receiving her license. Four years
prior, my aunt had spent hours both in drivers ed classes
and in the car for behind-the-wheel instruction. Now she was sitting
in a courtroom. As the trial progressed, an expert witness testified
that skid marks on the road indicated that my aunt’s speed was not
a factor; that in fact, there was not enough distance between cars
for the motorcycle to have pulled in front of her in such heavy
traffic. Despite breaking, my aunt hit the motorcycle. The passenger,
who was not wearing a helmet, fatally hit her head when thrown from
the bike. This evidence, coupled with the fact that the motorcyclist
was recklessly weaving in and out of traffic, led my aunt to be
cleared of the charges. The driving lessons she received before
receiving her license were essential in this case. The recklessness
of the motorcyclist shows a lack of understanding of the significance
of road safety that is strongly implemented in drivers ed
classes. The facts demonstrated that my aunt was not traveling at
excessive speed and that she was at a safe distance from the car in
front of her while driving in very heavy traffic. She was practicing
the safe driving principles she learned in class. Had she not been
driving safely, she could be in jail today. With strongly implemented
drivers ed, the motorcyclist’s passenger could be alive
today. Drivers ed saves lives.

Drivers ed is a vital part
of reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. According to
the Association for Safe International Road travel, “nearly 1.25
million people die in road crashes each year” and “20-50 million
are injured or disabled”. Additionally, a study at the University
of Nebraska at Lincoln provided results that drivers who had taken a
drivers ed course were involved in fewer crashes. Driver
education courses lower crash rates, which in turn will aid in
reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving.

With this in mind, driver
education courses should be implemented and required across the
United States to receive a license. Many states, including Virginia,
have age laws that allow young adults aged 18 or older to receive
their license without taking a drivers ed course as long as
they held a permit for 60 days. According to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, it is 16-20 year olds who are at the
highest risk for car accident injuries, and the most significant
number of car fatalities are people 20-24 years old. Given that this
age group is at substantial risk for injuries and fatalities on the
road, I firmly believe that new drivers of any age should be required
to take drivers ed courses or at least new drivers up to the
age of 24, given the statistics. Implementing drivers ed as an
extra step may seem tedious; however, saving a life is worth it.

Driving responsibly is important
for everyone. Even if you have already taken the course, it is good
to practice safe driving and make sure you are following the rules of
the road as well as implementing safe practices you learned during
your class. In addition to making sure you are a safe driver,
educating others on road safety and encouraging drivers ed is a
great way to make the road a safer place. A life is worth so much
more than the time required for a class.