Driver Education Initiative – Behind the Wheel

Alyson
Spaulding

Behind
the Wheel

Driving
is an under rated task. It requires full attention and sound judgment
for long periods of time. Drivers ed not only teaches students
what to do behind the wheel, but how to respond in worst case
situations. Drivers ed helps students learn how to remain calm
and not make rash decisions when put under pressure. The online
portion helps the students learn simple things that are often put on
the back burner. These small things can lead to big problems when
completely forgotten about. Drivers ed makes sure these things
are in the forefront of new drivers minds. The driving portion puts
the new driver in a controlled environment. They are supervised by a
professional and purposely withheld from overly stressful situations
until they are ready. Even when a stressful situation comes to
action, they have a helping hand in the passenger seat the whole
time. With all this being said, drivers ed prepares new
drivers for the real road. Without drivers ed, the number of
accidents from lack of knowledge and experience would result in a
multitude of casualties.

The
number of accidents is still higher than ideal. One step that can be
taken to decrease that fact is making drivers ed a
requirement. At this time, drivers ed is required for 15 year
olds that wish to get their permit. If someone would wish to opt out
of taking drivers ed they can wait until they are 16 and take
their permit test then. If drivers education is made a requirement
for all wishing to obtain their license and/or permit, it would
guarantee proper education for all drivers and reduce the number of
deaths involving car accidents. Another step that can be taken is to
require more supervised driving with a driving instructor. This would
give the driver a more knowledgeable person to guide them in learning
the ways of the road. Yes, driving with an instructor is already a
requirement, but the required time is sub par and can be increased.
One last thing that I believe would almost dissolve deaths involving
car accidents as a whole is regulating phone use in the vehicle. If
car companies could somehow create a storage unit for cell phones
that is like a key, the car would not start until the cell phone was
put in the compartment. The car would then start and the cell phone
would be locked away until the vehicle was not in motion. If all car
companies turned to this and gave consumers no substitutes, drivers
would have no option than to put their phones away.

I
have been driving for a little over a year. I have never been in a
serious accident, but there have been times where I was glad I was
paying attention. There have been times where I was glad there wasn’t
a car in front of me or behind. I have made driving mistakes, but I
am lucky to not have had any of them result in bad accidents. I have
seen irresponsible driving with my friends, and it only encourages me
to be a better driver so I never scare my passengers or put anyone in
danger.

There
are many steps that I can take to become a better and safer driver.
Though there is no regulation on my cell phone in my car, I can put
it away and silence it so I am not tempted to check it. Another step
I can take to be a safer driver is to recognize my surroundings at
all times. Every time I get into my car, I need to recognize that I
am in control of the car and I need to be responsible as that is the
case. With that being said, when I am with my friends, I can
encourage them to pay attention to the road, and not initiate
distracting conversations. One quote that I can tell others and even
myself is “prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.”