The establishment of the driver’s education class has had a significant impact in educating future drivers on the dangers of the roads, rules, regulations, and the importance of eliminating distractions to keep you and those around you safe. Drivers’ education is important to help reduce reckless driving accidents, or even accidents that could have been prevented by slight changes to driving habits.
The importance of driver education educates students on everything that can cause an accident, as well as how accidents can be prevented. It provides students with comprehending traffic laws and understanding how the road works. The number of deaths related to driving are tremendously high, deaths occurring from intoxicated drivers, distracted driving, reckless driving, and speeding. Many do not understand the importance of driving safely and being cautious while on the road. On the road, it is easy to forget that you are not just surrounded by cars, you are surrounded by cars full of families, humans of all ages. These people have lives, and it is important to understand and process that.
One step that can be taken to reduce death tolls of reckless driving, is wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt is overlooked by many, and it is emphasized in driver education, billboards, advertisements, and even the car mechanism. Some cars will not start until the driver and passenger seat belt are on, and others make noises to signify that the car is in motion and not wearing their seatbelt. There are studies proving that fatal injuries can be caused by not wearing a seatbelt, a seatbelt saves lives is not an aesthetic. Another especially crucial step that is currently conditional is a breathalyzer. When charged with a DUI, you are required to have a breathalyzer in your car for it to start. A breathalyzer measures the driver’s breath alcohol concentration, the car will only start once the breathalyzer proves there is no alcohol in the driver's system. It may seem troublesome for those in a rush, however, even if the driver is hungover, they are still at risk of hurting themselves or someone else. With this understanding, the breathalyzer should be implemented into all cars, not just those who are charged with a DUI. At times, many are not caught drinking and driving, which encourages them to engage in this dangerous activity more often. Many have the philosophy that, ‘They drive better when they are drunk.’ This is not true, and to reduce accidents, a breathalyzer should be placed in all cars.
Substance use is not the only factor that contributes to the number of deaths related to driving. Distracted driving is a genuine issue today, we see people driving and texting, holding their phone, and even eating while driving. Many accidents are caused by distracted driving, I am one of many cases of this. On April 14th, 2019, my mother and I were on the way back home from a grocery shopping trip at Walmart. We had just arrived at the stop light that was down the street from our house, our light had turned green and as she drove across the street, I turned my head and realized that a car was coming directly towards us. She attempted to steer the car after we had gotten hit. My ears were ringing, my back started to hurt, and her wrist was in pain. The man rushed out of the car, and apologized profusely, eventually telling the officer that he was ‘Eating Chipotle Chips and was looking at a different light, thinking it was his turn, he ended up hitting us.’ He thought his chip distraction was funny, it was not. From then on, I developed a minor fear of being in a car, my mother and I suffered long-lasting effects of being involved in a car accident. Her wrist was fractured, I developed disk issues in my back, which further progressed into persistent back pain. With months of physical therapy and x-rays, I eventually made a full recovery. Looking back, the man being distracted while driving was the catalyst for our accident.
After this experience, I became an advocate for safer driving. When in the car with people, I act as an assistant, so they have no reason for being distracted. I use their phone for them, tell them to pay attention, give directions and so much more. My friends and family understand that I only want them to be safe on the road, informing them that the text can wait, the music queue can wait, and the phone calls can wait until you have arrived at your destination. I, however, do not possess a license. But when I do finally obtain a driver's license, I will take many precautions to become a safe and educated driver. This includes, attending drivers' education, even when not required, always wearing my seatbelt, keeping my phone away from me, never driving if under the influence, and obeying traffic laws. These are a few of many steps that I can take to practice safe driving. Because everyone deserves to get from point A to point B safely.