Driver Education Initiative Award – Annual Scholarship Opportunity

1. What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving? (127 words)
Driver education courses play a crucial role in promoting road safety and reducing accidents and fatalities. These are an essential tool in promoting road safety and reducing the number of accidents and fatalities on our roads. These courses provide the necessary knowledge and skills for drivers to operate vehicles safely and responsibly, making them an invaluable resource for drivers of all ages and experience levels.
The importance of driver education courses cannot be overstated. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares the report that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States, with over 36,000 fatalities and 3 million injuries reported annually. These statistics highlight the need for effective driver education programs that can help prevent accidents and save lives.



2. What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving? (521 words)
A Driver education course plays a critical role in promoting road safety and reducing the number of accidents and fatalities on our roads. These courses provide the necessary knowledge and skills for drivers to operate vehicles safely and responsibly, teaching them about traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, the dangers of impaired driving, and the significance of promoting a culture of safety and responsibility among all road users. Benefits of driver education programs include:
- their focus on defensive driving techniques,
- the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, and
- the promotion of a culture of safety and responsibility among all road users.
Implementation of Driver Education Courses will exponentially help in the following five ways in reducing accidents:
a. They Teach the Basic Law of Driving:                                                                                   
One of the primary benefits of driving education courses in Memphis, TN, is that they teach drivers about the rules of the road and how to operate a vehicle safely. However, this includes teaching drivers about traffic laws, speed limits, and other important regulations that must be followed to avoid accidents. Additionally, driver education courses provide training in defensive driving techniques, hazard recognition, and emergency maneuvers to help drivers avoid dangerous situations on the road.
b. Consequences of Distracting from Road While Driving:                                             
Driving courses also play an important role in teaching drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. Distracted driving is a significant road problem and is responsible for many accidents and fatalities each year. By teaching drivers about the risks of distracted driving and providing strategies for staying focused on the road, driver education courses can help reduce the unfortunate accidents caused by this dangerous behavior.
c. Consumption of Drugs or Other Substances:                                                                  
Another essential aspect of the driving education course is their focus on impaired driving. Impaired driving is the foremost reason for accidents and fatalities on our roads, and driver education courses provide essential education on the dangers of driving under the impact of drugs. These courses teach drivers about the risks of impaired driving, as well as strategies for avoiding situations where they may be tempted to drive while impaired.
d. Teaching the Importance of Safe Driving:                                                                       
Finally, driver education courses can help promote a culture of safety and responsibility among drivers. By teaching drivers about the importance of safe driving and encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions on the road, driver education courses can help create a non-riskier environment for all road users. It can lead to a reduction in accidents and fatalities as drivers become more aware of the potential consequences of their actions on the road.
e. Helping Drivers Gain Confidence:                                                                                              
A driver improvement course also helps drivers gain confidence in their abilities. Learning how to drive can be daunting, especially for new drivers. However, by providing a supportive learning environment and practical training opportunities, driver education courses can help drivers feel more confident behind the wheel. It can lead to safer driving habits, as drivers are more likely to make better decisions on the road when they feel comfortable and in control of their vehicle.
Take Driving Lessons If You Are a Beginner! 



3. Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly? (294 words)
On a Saturday evening of June 18, 2016, as the sun was setting gradually, my family and I were at a red-light intersection in our Honda Odyssey minivan. My parents noticed our friend’s car across the road intersection ahead.
While our vehicle was waiting at the red light, my dad initiated the wipers to clean the windshield, and the lights turned green at the same time. So, my dad held for about 2 additional seconds and then gradually started to pass through the main intersection glancing towards our friends on the left opposite side of the road. As our vehicle moved towards the middle of the intersection, out of nowhere from our right side apparently, another car T-boned into our minivan and a last-minute maneuver by the other driver hit our front bumper which caused it to loosen apart and get tossed ahead by about 50 meters. The other car that hit our minivan spun around 360 degrees thrice and finally came to a halt on their right curb.
The driver in the other vehicle that T-boned us had run the red light over speeding 10 miles over the speed limit of 45 mph. One of the passengers had to be airlifted by a medical chopper and the other was taken to hospital for review. The police inferred that the driver and her passenger were chatting with the west sundown on their eyes which supposedly led to the wreck.
Fortunately, my family and I escaped unscathed. Possibly, had my dad focused on the road in front 360 degrees, he might have seen the car approaching from the right at a right angle and thereby could have possibly attempted to halt in the middle of the intersection to avoid this mishap as a defensive posture.



4. What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road? (825 words)
Based on my experience as a teenage driver so far, below are some steps to be a better safe driver and to guide other drivers to become safer on the road.
- Defensive Driving course: Strongly recommend attending a Driving Motor Vehicle (DMV) dept. approved Defensive Driving course offered by your respective State/County in your local city/town.
- Procedure to correctly adjust “rear view” and “side view mirrors - left and right” correctly: 
(a) Rear view - mirror adjustment: While adjusting your driver seat, the rear-view mirror needs to be positioned in a manner that the entire rear of the vehicle through the Rear windshield can be seen well.
(b) Side view - mirror adjustment: Keeping your head positioned leftwards to the left front window, move the Left side mirror outwards. Next, leaning reasonably towards the right front passenger side, adjust the right-side mirror outwards. Adjust the rear-view mirror towards the center in such a manner as the vehicle behind can be seen clearly. The above steps would lead to any vehicle passing either on the left or right side of the vehicle you are in, to slide in directly from the rear mirror view to either side literally minimizing blind spot errors thereby avoiding blind spot accidents.
- Seat belts: Fasten seat belts, install infant/toddler/child seats for kids and stray them correctly per seat installation manual.
- Backing up vehicles: Look in the view mirror, side view mirrors and rear-view camera. Back up slowly watching out 360 degrees but primarily 180 degrees towards the rear side.
- Which side of the Road to drive on? Immigrants or foreign drivers from Commonwealth countries where driving is usually on the left side of the road, need to reinforce themselves mentally with the following thumb rule in mind: “KEEP RIGHT” to be safe and drive on the correct side of the road while driving in the US to avoid head on collisions.
- Right Turns at lights: On right turns, always yield if light is RED and only turn after the safe passing of the vehicles at right angle. In certain states like California, right turns on red lights are a “no-go” and therefore, wait until lights turn green to turn right.
- Left Turns at right: In the event of a dedicated left turn light, please proceed if Green only and halt if Red. In the absence of a dedicated left turn light, please yield on to oncoming traffic before turning left.
- Pull over: In the event of an emergency, or need to pull over, maintain the right lane and pull over to the right side of the road. Turn the hazard lights on. If the incident is related to a vehicle issue, step out and open your hood as well.
- Red lights flashing: Be it a road or a railway crossing, please stop, watch and proceed with caution.
- Amber Lights flashing: Proceed slowly with caution, since vehicles at right angles are expected to stop on RED.
- Utilize phones only on Bluetooth/ hands-free: It is illegal in certain states to use the phone in your hand while driving which could be hazardous. Preferably, use Bluetooth and avoid talking on busy intersections. If using ear plugs, plug in only one ear and avoid using them on both ears.
- Playing Music: Avoid playing loud music which could be a distraction.
- Fuel economy and efficiency: Avoid over accelerations. Maintain speed limits, and on freeway speeds wherein 40 mph < Speed limit < 70 mph. Maintain highway speeds around 60-65 mph for the best fuel efficiency reducing carbon burning. The average mileage usually shoots at least 5 mph if followed consistently. Avoid driving slow below 40 mph on freeways for safety reasons. If need be, to slow down, pull over.
- Braking action: While braking at high speeds, prefer a pumping action so the rear brake light flashes every time for other vehicles driving in the rear to alert them and avoid rear end collisions on fender bumper incidents. Also, most automobiles these days are equipped with Anti Braking System (ABS) to prevent the cars from locking up and skidding. Have the ABS switch always activated for safety.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) assist: If there is an option, please keep it active.
- Auto-Cruise control: Only activate cruise control on freeways where there is sufficient gap to manage the speed.
- Driving in inclement conditions (Snow, Rain, slush): Drive at least 5 mph below the approved speed limit. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and rear.
- Racing: Avoid racing against other cars, move over to the right lane for faster cars in the left lane, maintain either middle or right lane as much as possible, unless the need to turn.
- Road Rage: Avoid direct eye contact during a confrontation and apologize. In the event of any unruly incident, please call 911.
Driving is a privilege, not a Right!