In the Driver's Seat

Brandon Grant
Drivers ed Initiative 2019: In the Driver’s Seat

11/27/19

When I was 16, reality hit me like a truck. Literally. I was driving home from work when suddenly I found myself in the middle of an intersection with deployed airbags. Once the shock wore off, I realized that I had collided with another vehicle-a large truck with a trailer hitched to the back. In this moment, the reality of the world hit me. Reflecting on this event now, I truly realize how my actions have consequences which can affect other people. The wreck immediately motivated me to become a safer driver.

Before receiving my license, I did take a drivers ed course. Driver education is important because it teaches drivers how to think and behave while on the road. By teaching people the rules of the road and how to drive defensively, people are more prepared drivers. When drivers are properly educated about the rules and laws, it makes the roads much safer, thus reducing the number of driving-related deaths.

Driver education helps to reduce the amount of accidents on the road, but how can the number of accidents be even lower? I believe that new drivers should have to work harder to obtain their licence. With harder requirements, and more awareness, the amount of teen deaths will decrease. A general drivers ed course is only a week long, and the end test is quite simple. If the test was more rigorous, then teen drivers may be more cautious on the road. In addition, only 40 driving hours are required to get a provisional license, and not much proof is required. I believe changing the required documentation would ensure teen drivers have more experience before independently driving on the roads.

In addition, periodically reminding drivers of current laws is important. Last year, Georgia implemented the hands-free law, and it immediately reduced the number of driving related deaths. Unfortunately, the newness of the law has worn off, and I am seeing more people driving while looking at their phones. A state campaign reminding people of the implications of distracted driving would be beneficial.

Since the wreck, I have pushed myself to become a safer driver. I take an extra few seconds to analyze an intersection before I enter. I take slower turns to allow myself a quicker reaction time. I also practice being courteous to other drivers. Even though I still have more room to improve, I can already tell that my efforts are making a big difference. In addition, I am open with others about the accident and its impact on me- emotionally and financially. I believe that by making others aware of my experience, they will learn from my mistake and be more cautious while driving. Being in a wreck is something that I wish that no one has to go through in order to be a safer driver. I haven’t gotten in a wreck since that incident, but the long-term implications have certainly stuck with me.