When an individual is in the driver’s seat for the first time, hands on the wheel, foot on the gas, staring at the road, their life and the lives of the people in the car are in their hands. The purpose and meaning behind driver education is to provide knowledge to the driver on how to safely travel on the road as well as keeping others safe on the road as well. People become very overwhelmed and anxious when driving in a different area that may not seem familiar to them or having to adjust to the different speed limits and directions they need to follow. Driving education is necessary to help you feel more confident and aware of situations that may need your undivided attention. One can assume what certain signs and pictures are trying to convey, but there is no guarantee that that is what it is actually trying to tell you. Driver education gives you that backhand knowledge so that when you are on the road and driving, you can confidently and instantly know how to get to your destination in a safe manner while following the rules and the laws. No one can predict or be responsible for other drivers on the road so take it upon yourself to know what you have to do and when to do it.

The steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is awareness and practice. When an individual turns that age where they can finally drive and go wherever they want, all that is going through their mind is freedom and urgency. To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, we have to educate others on making sure they are ready to be on the road in a responsible and cautious manner. During driver education, the program that I was in showed us videos of car accidents and the ways in which it happens and it really puts you in a perspective where you have to consider certain situations. One slip up is enough to total a car and hurt another person including yourself. An individual has to get enough practice to know how to follow the rules of the road and to be confident and not hesitant when faced with unpredictable circumstances. Anything can happen on the road, but if you are not able to handle it in the right way or even at all, there can be serious consequences.

I have not been in a car accident, but I almost caused one because I was not ready to be behind that wheel. I did not get enough practice on the road and I thought that if I just drove around a couple times then I am ready to be a driver, but that was not the case. Driving comes with so much more than staying on the road and in the lanes. You have to check your surroundings multiple times and understand what the signs around you mean. I was not familiar with the town I was driving in so I did not see that certain lanes end up merging with each other. When I stopped at a red light ready to turn right, I was confused on what lane I had to look at to determine if it was clear for me to go. That small misunderstanding could have turned into a huge accident. Every place, every destination, every car and every individual is different, you can not predict how one will react on the road or how the place will look if you are not confident in the directions being given and your ability to handle the signs and rules around you.

The steps that I take to be a better driver is to know my limitations and abilities when deciding to get on the road. If I know that I will be prone to making mistakes out of fear and hesitation, then I will not get in that car. You do not want to think about the worst case scenarios when you are already driving. Think about where you are headed, what care you are taking and how you feel if faced with unexpected events. There should be a thought process when you are driving in a place that is not familiar to you. To help others become safe drivers as well is to speak up when I am in a situation where someone is driving irresponsibly. Speaking up and telling them about the lives they will impact if an accident were to occur because of their negligence and influencing the youth who are just starting out, to drive with caution and to make sure they are updated on the education needed to safely be behind the wheel. Anything can happen and you always have to be aware of your surroundings no matter what.