Don't Put Drivers Ed To Bed

When I was first learning how to drive, I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait until the day I had a car and could drive around with my friends, music blasting, windows down, laughing and talking. As I took my first drive at a drivers ed class, this vision very quickly changed. I realized there is a lot more to driving and staying safe on the road.

From that point on, I took drivers ed more seriously. The classes I took taught me more than just how to drive a car, but also to stay more conscious of my surroundings, as well as the importance of getting rid of all distractions when driving. As soon as we sat down in the driver’s seat, we turned our phones off, handed them to the instructor, turned off the music, and focused. Drivers ed is vital to all drivers, it provides a basic foundation for the rules of the road as well as preparation for more advanced driving techniques. However, despite its importance, many teens and adults don’t take drivers ed classes and face the repercussions of it as they are more likely to be involved in accidents on the road.

One way we can reduce the number of fatalities related to driving is through more social media awareness on being safe while driving. Almost everyone uses some form of social media and businesses and various political, environmental, and health campaigns have been extremely successful using social media as an outlet. Posts are so easy to share that if one person is able to reach out online about the importance of safe driving, it can reach thousands within minutes.

Though I have never been in a serious car accident, I know people who have. Just last week, one of my friends got in a huge wreck going back to school from lunch. The other driver didn’t stop at a T intersection with no stop sign. Had she attended drivers ed classes she would have known to stop. Fortunately no one was hurt, however, both walked away knowing they had to be more cautious and to take driving more seriously. Many times we forget that with a car comes both freedom and responsibility. When you’re out on the road, you have the potential to kill someone, or even yourself.

Whenever I drive I make sure to put all distractions away; my phone is on do not disturb, the music doesn’t get loud, and if I have others with me, I remember that their safety is now in my hands. I keep these things in mind when I’m a passenger as well.