Earning a driver’s license is a critical point in every teenager’s life. Everyone practically counts down the days to their driver’s test and when they can finally gain an ounce of freedom with their license. However, with this newfound freedom comes great responsibility.
According to studies, sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds are in the most car accidents compared to all other age groups. As a teenager in this particular age group, I can speak towards how young drivers are impulsive and careless behind the wheel, despite being fresh from the DMV driver’s test. Thus, driver education is crucial for teaching teenagers how to be safe on the road. Through online permit courses, everyone learns to see and be seen by turning on headlights in the fog, rain, and at night, how to avoid hydroplaning, and proper etiquette for all-way stops. Personally, my driver’s education did not stop after my permit test. I had to take three behind-the-wheel lessons with a driving school before being allowed to take the driver’s test. Through these lessons, I learned many tips and tricks to help me be a better driver. In retrospect, if I hadn’t had these lessons, I probably would have dinged my car at least twice by now. Beyond small dings and scratches, driver’s education saves lives because of the things it teaches us. Remembering to turn on your headlights in the rain can allow other drivers to see you, thus preventing them from accidentally swerving into your car or head-on collisions when entering your lane to pass someone. Tips on how not to hydroplane will prevent drivers from losing control of their car, which can result in devastating crashes. And knowing how four-way stops work will be crucial so as to not go before it's your turn, which can prevent even more injuries. Every car crash is devastating, and it is said that one in ninety-three crashes result in a death, which may seem very small; however, according to the California Highway Patrol, there are around 1500 car crashes per day, which means that over fifteen lives are taken from car crashes each day in California alone. Reducing the amount of crashes, even small ones, can save lives, and the tips we learn from diver’s education help prevent many accidents.
Although what we learn in our permit courses is very helpful, everyone needs to be actively aware of their surroundings in order to prevent devastating crashes. The first step of reducing deaths while driving is simply keeping your car in a safe state. In other words, making sure the tread on your tires is acceptable, ensuring your lights and windshield wipers are in working order, checking your breaks and replacing them if they’re worn down, and making sure all parts of your vehicle are roadworthy. This ensures that your car doesn’t fail on the freeway, thus causing panic and leaving you extremely vulnerable to an accident. The second step is to always be vigilant, namely checking for cars at intersections, especially blind ones, where someone can jump out and possibly hit you as well as checking your mirrors and being aware of people in front of and behind you. The third step is to always drive sober and alert, and to have a designated driver if you are drinking or tired, thus lessening your chances of getting into a bad accident by not being fully aware. The fourth step is to always have your seatbelt on! Seatbelts save lives, and even if you are not the cause of an accident, wearing one can very well be the difference between life and death. The final step is to always assume every other driver on the road is an idiot. While it is not true, it is a way to remember to be constantly aware of your surroundings and to be cautious of others. All of these steps are critical to ensure you are safe behind the wheel.
I have never personally been in a car accident; however, a couple of my friends and my dad have all been in accidents before. I remember when my dad was in an accident a few years ago. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but the process afterwards with police reports and insurance was exhaustive. We ended up getting a new car after that, since my dad’s current car was very old and pretty dinged up. Recently, one of my friends was in an accident while her dad was driving, and she seemed very shaken from it. Nobody was terribly hurt, but I could tell she was rattled after it had happened.
One of my main reasons for making risky decisions on the road is because I’m in a rush and trying not to be late somewhere. A way that I can remedy that is to leave the house sooner. If I’m not going to be late, I will be more relaxed and less likely to speed. Additionally, I need to work on my patience, which partially goes hand-in-hand with trying not to be late. Being patient will help me not pull out in front of people and not tailgate others. Finally, I can work on my speed. I don't speed excessively, but I can still be better at watching my speed and not going too fast in specific areas.
Ultimately, driving is a privilege, not a right. It is incredibly important to be safe on the road, especially since peoples’ lives are at stake. Vehicles, especially when going at high speeds, are very dangerous, and it is essential for everyone to understand the dangers and responsibilities of being behind the wheel. That is why driver’s education is vital for everyone preparing to go behind the wheel.