In the Driver's Seat

Destiny Bush

Safety Behind the Wheel

11/01/19

The purpose of Drivers Ed is to provide you with knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for vehicle safety both in a car and walking as a pedestrian. According to Driversafety.net, teenagers between the ages of 16-19 have the highest accident rate in the nation. This source states, “16 to 19 year old are about three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than those 20 and older.” This data isn’t meant to scare anyone but to give them knowledge about the road. Drivers ed is important because it teaches us how to not only be safe on the road but learning the laws of the road as well. Newsroom.uml.edu states, “ A new study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years has found that drivers ed significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations.” This is important because it teaches you how to be careful to protect yourself and others around you.

In addition, steps would include to keep your vehicle in good condition, anticipate the actions of others, take steps to protect yourself and others. A vehicle in good conditions would to make sure your brakes are working properly, your tires have air, and windows are clean to be able to see through them. Good drives identify cues to behavior to help them predict how others will act or react. When protecting yourself and others, you wear your seatbelt. Do the speed limit, do safety checks on your car including, seat adjustments, mirror adjustions, and oil change. Even using your low-beam headlights at all times, even reduces the risk by increasing the ability of other cars and trucks to see you.

Although I haven’t been in a car accident, I know someone who has. My cousin’s mom was tired coming home from Texas. Instead of pulling over and resting for a little while, she let her oldest son drive. I guess he didn’t see the 18-wheeler or he fell asleep behind the wheel. It ended up being a terrible accident. He had a few stitches, his mom had to help multiple surgeries. His youngest two brothers fell out of the car and ended up in the neutral ground and street. The middle child have surgery on his back and the youngest had surgery on his chest and head.

Most importantly, there are many steps you can take to be a better and safer driver. These consist of forgetting about your phone, buckling up, drive when well rested, minimizing distractions, and keeping a safe distance. Sending a text message may seem simple, but it causes you to lose your focus on the road. Buckling up is your best defense in a crash protects you from going out of the car. Sleep deprivation can have the same effect on your body as drinking alcohol. Making is difficult to pay attention to the road and making fast decisions. This whole essay focuses on the importance of taking drivers ed, to protect yourself and others surrounding you.

Works Cited

Rogers, Mike. “The Importance Of Drivers Education.” Drive, 15 June 2016, 

University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Study: Drivers Ed Significantly Reduces Teen Crashes, Tickets.” Study: Drivers Ed Significantly Reduces Teen Crashes, Tickets | News Releases | University of Nebraska-Lincoln, newsroom.unl.edu/releases/2015/08/13/Study:+Driver's+ed+significantly+reduces+teen+crashes,+tickets.