Driver education is an absolute necessity to reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving. Does anyone actually believe there will be less crashes and deaths on the road if we send out young teenagers with little to no driver education out on the road? That’s a recipe for disaster. Driver’s licenses should not be just thrown out like candy on Halloween, it should be something practiced, tested, and earned for. Driver education does just that by promoting safety by teaching rules, reducing the risk of accidents by building confidence, improves awareness and habit through practice, all while encouraging legal compliance. As driver education students take the course, they learn traffic rules, road signs as well as defensive driving techniques which will all ensure to reduce the likelihood of accidents. With hands-on practice in a controlled environment, new drivers can feel more confident behind the wheel. This also leads to more awareness on the road, such as watching out for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. With practice and drills, driver education teaches habits that contribute to safe driving for a lifetime. Therefore, driver education is vital to reducing the number of deaths on the road.
Some ways we can reduce the number of deaths related to driving is to first of all, promote driver education. With the emphasis on defensive driving, hazard recognition, and the dangers of impaired or distracted driving taught in driver education, we can limit bad drivers on the road. Another way is to strengthen traffic laws and enforcement which involves the government being careful about how and where they manage lights, stop signs, speed limits, roads, and more. Enforcement tools like speed cameras and police presence on roads can deter reckless behavior. Along with that, improved road infrastructure with safe, clear, signage and roads can be a big help in limiting car accidents. Most importantly, raising awareness about safe driving and supporting safe driving behavior is crucial, people need to be reminded to drive safely and save lives.
Once, I was on a run with some of the girls on my cross country team and my coach was biking next to us. We came up to a stop light, so we stopped and pressed the button, thankful for the break as we watched the cars drive by. Eventually, the lights changed and the walking man icon appeared, signaling for us to cross. I started running first across the crosswalk and all the sudden, out of nowhere, a light gray sedan came hurting towards me. I tried to jump and run out of the way, and she saw me too and panicked. She slammed on her breaks and just barely grazed my leg as I pushed my arms on top of the hood of the car and jumped out of the way. It all happened so fast, but I definitely did see my life flash before my eyes and wondered if that was the end of me, or even just getting injured. Thankfully, we both reacted fast enough and I was unscratched but it was traumatizing and also traumatized my coach and teammates behind me. Yes, the women in the sedan did not have right of way and should not have turned left right into the pedestrian crossing, but everyone makes mistakes. With careful driving practice and defensive driving, we can avoid accidents like this.
I, like the women who almost hit me, am not a perfect driver either. I really want to be a really good, safe driver and obviously, just like everything, this comes with time, experience, and practice. The more I drive and strive to learn rules and defensive driving techniques, the better I will become. I can stay focused and avoid texting, eating, and adjusting GPS, seats, lights or anything else when driving, it should all be put away for good. Of course, following traffic rules and laws is a given, but with that comes being a defensive driver and always anticipating potential hazards. Another easy one to get is to wear the correct safety gear: always wear a seat belt, ensure passengers do too, and always make sure wheels, mirrors, and seats are in the correct place and function. I also believe that staying educated through driver education and also remaining calm and patient at all times when driving is extremely important. By being a good example to other cars on the road, and to younger siblings, and friends when driving them around I can show others how to drive safely so together we can all limit the amount of deaths caused by driving.