Driver’s Education is extremely important for students to participate in before starting to drive on the streets. It exposes them to all the laws and regulations of driving, and it shows them how much of a privilege driving is. Not only does it get them used to signs they would never have guessed what they mean, but they get the chance to drive with an instructor watching. This will improve their driving skills because they get experience and if they make a mistake there is someone there to correct them. I took driver’s education myself, and it was extremely worth it. Not only did I have the chance to learn how the car works and how to operate it, but I also got an entire year of driving experience while being safe and supervised on the range. My insurance premium also benefited because I got a discount just for taking the course and passing. If someone turns 18 and the driver’s test is the first time they have ever been in the driver’s seat, not only will they have a greater chance of failing, but if they pass then there will be no one to help them when they are driving on the road. There are several drivers like this on the road for one of two reasons; either because the school they attended did not offer driver’s education, or because they never took the time to take the course. Unexperienced drivers are extremely dangerous, which is why anyone under the age of 25 has increased insurance premiums. This is also why you receive a discount on your insurance once you successfully complete the driver’s education course, because when you pass you are deemed a safe driver.
Along with young inexperienced drivers on the road, another danger on the road is cell phones. There are laws in place that prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, but many people ignore them. When driving, I see more than 10 people obviously driving and using their phone at the same time. It is extremely obvious, they can never stay in their lane, and they are constantly hitting their brakes. In the United States during the year of 2022, there were about 42,500 fatal crashes. More than 3,000 of these were just from people being distracted on their phones. About 13,500 of these deaths were from people under the influence, which is another big problem. Especially with alcohol being easily accessible and marijuana on its way to being legal, substances have been another large issue. To reduce this substantial number of deaths per year, the only sensible solution is to have more police officer patrols. When there are cops present, everyone seems to fall in line and follow the law. If they are still refusing to follow the rules, then the officer will be there to write them a ticket. This will also get the people driving under the influence off the street because it is quite easy to spot someone driving drunk.
My driving experience started sophomore year. I got my permit the summer before, and I did a little practice driving with my dad. When sophomore year started, I enrolled in the driver’s education course. The first month or two we did not drive because we had bookwork to complete, and everyone needed their permit to be able to drive on the range. I was still driving outside of school though. One day, something happened that has turned me into the driver that I am today. It was Sunday, and we had just got out of church. My grandmother had asked me to drive, and I accepted because why not? I was extremely drowsy that morning, but I ignored that factor because I was going to be able to drive. The only way to get out of the parking lot was to cross two lanes and head down this street. I was at the intersection, and there was a car to my right blocking my vision. My grandmother was talking, and my sisters in the back were making noise. On top of being tired, I also have severe ADHD, and I was not able to concentrate at all. I decided to press the gas pedal and cross, but I did not have the time to react to the car that sped in front of me. Yes, they were going faster than the speed limit, but it was my fault because they had the right of way. The car was totaled, and my parents were not even in the country at the time. Thankfully, I had my church community leaving as well and they were able to help me through everything. Even the people I hit were understanding. Regardless, I have never been more scared in my life, and I am sure I traumatized my sisters and grandmother as well. Thankfully, the police officer that came did not put it on my record, I just had to pay for the damages I did to their car and did not get any points on the driver's license. After this scary experience, I have become a very defensive driver, and I always make sure to check twice that there is no one coming before I go. I always make sure everyone has their seatbelts on, and I do not look at my phone unless I am at a complete stop. This is my driving experience, and I have not gotten into any other incidents on the road since I compeleted my driver’s education course.