I was 17 years old, in the passenger seat of my Dad’s car. He had picked me up from my Mom’s house, having planned to spend the afternoon with me at our favorite Korean Barbeque spot. We were sitting in traffic waiting patiently during the rush hour, enjoying the serene scene of the R&B music with casual conversations. I looked up from my phone screen, my attention being caught by a car in the shoulder lane, zipping past us at an alarming speed. Before I could even process what was happening, there was a deafening sound of metal crushing and the sight of a car flipping over and hitting a pole. My heart stopped as I watched the car burst into flames, the scene turning from peaceful to horrific in a matter of seconds. Many other drivers on the road panicked to check on the individual, burning their hands on scorching car handles. For nearly that entire week, I felt shell-shocked. How is someone supposed to react when death occurs in front of them? It was something I grappled with for a while, the weight of that accident I witnessed staying with me. Witnessing death in front of you is a trauma that never truly goes away. To this day, I still struggle with driving-anxiety, haunted by the memory of that day. But I know that I am not alone in those paralyzing thoughts, and that is why driver’s education is crucial to me.

Driver’s education is essential today to allow drivers to safely navigate the roads to create a safe, responsible, and confident driver. Today, many people do not realize that a car is essentially a 3,000 pound machine, which rapidly becomes a weapon in the hands of a reckless driver. While some may rely on family or friends to teach them to drive, the reality is that complex skills like defensive driving and hazard awareness are crucial, and often require formal instruction. While driving is something that is very useful when done safely, it quickly becomes a killer that claims many people’s lives all over the world. To me, it is crazy how more governments do not require driver’s education when it is the leading cause of death of people aged 1-54. When I had completed my road test at my local DMV, I was shocked by the ease of the process. A few stop signs and a drive around the neighborhood and I’m licensed? No way. No wonder there are so many accidents on the road! This is where formal driver’s education comes in, to bridge the learning gap to prevent accidents and save lives.

The importance of driver's education cannot be overdone, especially when it comes to promoting safe and responsible driving. It is absolutely frustrating to hear friends complain about others on the road driving too "cautiously" when they fail to recognize the dangers of impulsive and emotional driving. It agitates me when I hear teenage boys bragging about how they won car races or drove home after a night out at a party. And in those moments where many young people forget the dangers of reckless driving, I think back to that day…where in two milliseconds, I saw fatality right in front of my eyes. Everytime I get behind the wheel, I make sure that I have a clear and collected mind, constantly being aware of my surroundings. Rushing through traffic or trying to beat red lights is never worth the risk of endangering lives. Waiting a few extra minutes may seem like a nuisance in the moment, but it can make all the difference in promoting road safety and preventing accidents.

Formal driver's education is a critical aspect of safe and responsible driving that I firmly support and encourage. The act of driving is a heavy responsibility that carries a weight of life and death not only for oneself but for all others on the road. I truly witnessed that when I personally witnessed that accident that day with my Dad. The effectiveness of driver's education is undeniable, and it is confirmed by numerous positive testimonials. Therefore, it is time for our governments to acknowledge and address the unacceptable number of fatalities caused by unprepared and reckless drivers. All individuals have the right to feel safe on the road, and it is essential for drivers to be trained and equipped with the necessary tools to create safer roads. I think that we can all make an effort to work towards creating a secure and healthy driving environment for all Americans.