Driver Education Initiative – On the road to Safety

Claudia
Lamorgese December 2019

On
the Road to Safety

Automobiles
have become the leading source of transportation for the human race
over the last few decades. Along with their rise in popularity, cars
have also become one of the major causes of death and trauma, with
over 3 million individuals in the United States alone injured in car
accidents every year (Driver Knowledge, 2019). Being the driver of a
vehicle comes with much more risk and responsibilities than most are
aware of. As the rate of accidents and deaths continue to rise,
drivers ed is a pillar for keeping all individuals safe.

Driver
education is something that is implemented to any new driver,
however, it is becoming exceedingly more important to enforce the
significance of safety on the road. Being a safe driver goes much
further than putting on a seatbelt and checking blindspots at every
turn; driving responsibly includes being in a
constant state of
awareness, for the safety of both the driver and the individuals
around the vehicle.

There
are a multitude of factors that go into promoting safety on the road
for both drivers and pedestrians. The basis of drivers ed can
be offered by driving schools which are responsible for instructing
the primary rules and regulations that are necessary for all drivers.
Driving schools should highlight the cruciality of avoiding drugs,
alcohol and the use of technology while on the road. There should
also be an emphasis on the importance of wearing seat belts, being
vigilant and respecting road signals. One way to improve driver
education is to implement teaching techniques such as the use of
short videos, interviews and documentaries to increase stimulation
and ease the transferring of information to students. Teaching new
drivers factual statistics about the dangers of negligence and lack
of responsibility will create an understanding of why safety behind
the wheel is so important.

Deaths
and injuries due to car accidents can be decreased by lowering speed
limits, increasing visibility of cross walks and implementing more
information to the general public about safe driving. Governments can
broadcast more media conveying the importance of being a responsible
driver, as well as the dangers of not following safety conduct.
Furthermore, drivers ed can be enforced in various high schools
and colleges, where officials of the law can educate young
individuals on the importance of driving responsibly.

I
have been in a total of three car accidents as a passenger and each
accident was a result of negligence behind the wheel. Two out of the
three accidents were due to texting and driving. Coming from a
generation where technology is so present, it becomes even more
important for young drivers to be educated on the dangers of opening
their cell phones behind the wheel. Basic enforcement of this
information can prevent hundreds of future accidents from happening.

Being
a safe driver is a continuous cycle where there is constant room for
improvement. Every driver must educate themselves on ways to improve
their driving habits and forcefully practice responsible driving at
all times. Drivers ed must continue to modernize in terms of
development and delivery, to ensure maximal learning by all new
drivers. With the proper utilization and application of driver
education, human beings will successfully find themselves on the road
to safety.

Sources

Car
Accident Statistics in the U.S.: Driver Knowledge. (2019). Retrieved
from https://
www.driverknowledge.com/car-accident-statistics/.