Approximately 40,000 people die yearly in the United States from car accidents. Driver education is a key class that you have to take before getting your driver's license. Although everyone takes the class, not everyone acquires the knowledge necessary to drive safely. Driver education teaches you road signs, how to be a defensive driver, when to use which lights during certain weather conditions, how to handle different weather conditions, and how to handle encounters with police if you get pulled over. Even though I already have my license, I have always kept the manual in case I have any questions regarding the way of the road. People should be taking diver education way more seriously than they do. Driver education helps drivers be on the same page when driving. It lays out the rules of the road that drivers must follow; if they do not, there will be consequences. With drivers on the same page, we are protecting ourselves and others by obeying traffic laws. We can help each other stay safe by following the Basic Speed Law, which states: “Drivers must operate their vehicles at a safe and prudent speed considering the current conditions, regardless of posted speed limits.” This means we can all be aware of those around us under unsafe weather conditions. Everyone needs to be aware of the laws when it comes to driving because innocent lives can be lost if a person is not driving safely.
Approximately 13,000 people die from drunk driving. This is one of the most preventable accidents, in my opinion. If you drink even the slightest, you do not drive. Why is it worth risking an innocent person or several lives and your own? One way to prevent accidents is to extend the driver education class course time. If people are around the rules of the road more and more, it will become more natural to them. It will also help them memorize the lessons better, so they are a better driver overall. I also think students should have to drive in all weather conditions and should drive on both city roads and the gravel of the country. This will make it so people are comfortable driving in different environments. People should also look to be more defensive when driving and stay clear of distractions or careless driving. Things can happen so fast when driving that drivers need to stay alert and ready to take action before disaster strikes.
I have had many experiences with car accidents and being in the car with bad drivers. Though none of the car accidents have been my parents’ fault or mine, they were caused due to unaware drivers. This has cost my family thousands of dollars and almost our lives. I am careful with who I choose to get in a vehicle with, especially when the driver first gets their license. One wrong move and your whole life can flash before your eyes. My parents and family members are super safe and defensive drivers. This reassures me because I know they will do their best to keep me and my other family members safe from careless drivers. A lot of my friends can be careless and irresponsible at times. Many students in my grade have caused accidents simply from unawareness and carelessness. It makes me wonder how they got their license and how they still manage to keep it. Parents could also be doing a lot to help their teens become better drivers, to keep everyone on the road safer.
As for myself, I can take several steps to become a better driver. I can make sure to obey all traffic laws. I can make sure my vehicle has proper upkeep and maintenance, including licensing and registration. I can be aware of those around me and make sure I am following vehicles at a safe distance. I can learn to be better at driving in weather conditions. I can also learn how to drive in the city, so when I go to college in a bigger town, I can be more comfortable. I can also keep updated on new traffic laws and look back on my driver education book to help me with random questions. By bettering our driver education classes with actual driving and classroom work, future drivers can help lower the average of yearly car accident deaths in the United States. Everyone needs to be aware of laws and each other on the road so we can keep one another safe.