As of today, I feel as though the youth do not understand the importance of driving; let alone practicing safe driving. Driver education is not enforced as strictly as it should; although it is an option, many kids may not enroll because it’s not seen as a priority. In my opinion, the U.S. Department of Education should change the curriculum to include driver education as a mandatory class. Students should be introduced to driving education in ninth grade when many students first become interested in learning to drive. Each high school student should take a driver's class and pass a written test, similar to exams administered by the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and a driving test too as part of the graduation requirement. By knowing the importance of safety and what can cause fatal car crash death, student may think twice of racing on the interstate or randomly going to a donut in the middle of traffic. Changes may not happen overnight but suggesting these revisions to the U.S Department of Education could improve road safety greatly by 2026 or sooner.
I have had personal experiences that remind me daily about the importance of driving safely. I was riding with friends to the movies to see A Quiet Place. We were running late, so we decided to get on the expressway to get there faster. Music filled the car as we talked and laughed as we would normally do. I noticed that my friend was going faster than the speed limit. I asked him to slow down because I’d rather arrive late than not at all. Initially, he brushed me off, stating that “we were not even going that fast.” Instead of getting mad and yelling at him, I took a deep breath and calmly asked again. “Can you simply slow down because I don’t think this is the best option for us to get to the movies faster?” Thankfully, he thought about what I was saying and agreed with me.  He apologized for not thinking of our safety and slowed down driving at the speed limit the rest of the way.  At that moment, I thought to myself, “what if we got into a car accident and how the aftermath would be if I did not tell myself to slow down?”
There was another incident when I was younger and involved in a near fatal car crash. A family friend was driving my sibling and me to her grandmother’s house. As we were approaching a railroad crossing, we noticed that the train approach indicators were signaling down our driver thought it would be a brilliant idea to go around the barriers! As we drove around the tracks, I looked left and saw the train coming toward us. Luckily, we made it over to the other side of the tracks in a split second. This terrifying experience left me wondering about the possible outcomes if we had been a second slower. I could have been severely hurt or worse, I could no longer be here. Thinking about that experience reminds me that there are consequences to ignoring traffic signals and not following safety measures that are life-threatening.
  I have several strategies that I use to ensure that I am a safe responsible driver. This may seem very simple but first, I would make sure to follow the speed limit. It’s easy to go over the speed limit, especially while listening to your favorite song, talking on the phone with a friend or adjusting the air conditioning. However, staying within the speed limit is vital for preventing accidents and complying with traffic laws. Having patience when it comes to driving as well is also important. Driving is all about having patience and being able to time things perfectly whether it is merging into traffic, parking or making turns.
I have a short attention span at times, so I can get easily distracted. I make a conscious effort to focus on driving. This means I minimize multitasking so I can always be alert to the road and my surroundings. Distractions can lead to mistakes which can lead to accidents so making sure to stay focused on driving is essential for safety.
Lastly, remaining calm when driving or while being a passenger helps to manage road rage. Driving can be frustrating especially when other drivers make mistakes, but learning to avoid reacting with anger is so important. Situations can escalate and lead to dangerous conditions for everyone on the road. My goal is to stay calm and avoid confrontation so I can focus on driving safely. 
Driver education is crucial for reducing traffic related accidents and fatalities. Having this as a mandatory part of high school education would help to prepare students to make better, safer decisions while on the road. My own experiences with unsafe driving serve as a reminder of the importance of being responsible. Following speed limits, having patience, minimizing distractions and keeping calm can lead to safer driving. Taking these steps make ultimately save lives.