Driver's Education: Something We All Need

· Drivers ed is paramount to reduce the number of driver accidents. Drivers education, to me, should be free. That is ultimately the first and most important step. It’s impossible to expect any change with a price tag hanging over our heads telling us that money us more valuable than assuring people are safe. If drivers ed was safe, people would know that it’s safer to stop rather than yield at a yield sign. They’d know that they should check their back mirrors because rear-end accidents can be prevented. They’d also probably refrain from swerving on slick roads to go around the car in front of them. Sure, these things might seem simple to us, but people who weren't lucky enough to have drivers ed don’t even know to check all the lights on their car before they start driving. Also, I think that everybody should have to obtain a permit and have it for a certain amount of time. In more detail, a person HAS to take driers ed. They wouldn't be allowed to cheat the system and wait until they’re 18 to obtain one. This reassures that everyone is equally educated on safe driving. I haven’t been in a car accident, but I’ve been close to a few.

I remember one quite vividly. This semi-truck was coming off a rampway too fast and the lane that leads from the ramp was at a standstill, plus it was raining. The driver was NOT driving at a reduced speed and nearly rear-ended my mother’s car. If she hadn’t managed to swerve over and avoid him, the guard rail that he ended up hitting would’ve been me, and I would’ve died on impact. The experience alone just reiterates the need for drivers education. In slick, rainy conditions, nobody should feel comfortable driving faster than the actual speed limit. And, the fact that the truck driver did that is indicative of his lack of proper drivers ed training or any in this matter. To be better drivers, we need to be compassionate. We can’t always speed up to stop somebody from merging into the lane because the outcome could be a crash or worst, death. As a driver, I could cool my road rage. Every little thing doesn’t need to work me up. If someone does something unsafe, I shouldn’t resort to honking my horn because that could frighten them and cause another catastrophe. As drivers as a whole, we all need to be defensive drivers, we shouldn't drive offensively as if we expect people to be out for our blood.