Is Driver Education Enough?

Driver education programs are very important for all drivers. Many individuals think that it is a teen requirement but I feel as though it is important for all individuals to be required to continue taking driver education courses.  As people age they struggle with knowing the new laws and keeping up with the times, refresher courses can help ensure they are still able to function properly behind the wheel.  Brand new drivers and those with less than 5 years of driving experience should also be taking driver education courses because it helps them to learn safety measures that should be taken while driving. Having driver education classes required, can help reduce the number of deaths because students are learning the rules and regulations in driving and are also exposed to the reality of what can happen so they will tend to drive safer.  But is this enough?

Education alone is not enough to deter drivers from distracted driving.  The main step that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is stricter punishments for people that break the law behind the wheel. Right now in NJ drivers with a repeated DUI offense can receive a $300–$500 fine, 30 days maximum jail time, IDRC attendance, plus a 3-month license suspension and more, which may seem like too much to some but I think if the stakes were even higher people (esp teens) would be more likely to abstain from drunk driving. If drivers are caught texting and driving in NJ they can receive a fine starting at $200 for a first offense, and multiple offenses can result in up to $800 in fines, 3 motor vehicle penalty points, and a 90-day license suspension.  An easy way to cut down on cell phone use is to increase the fines and add points to the first offense.  This will limit cell phone use by drivers.  If people understand how serious it can be based of the consequences it can save more lives. There can also be campaigns on using hands free devices to teach individuals how to be smart when it comes to using their cell phones behind the wheel.  
On the morning of January 10, 2025, a distracted driver in a brown Volkswagen pickup truck ran a red light through a busy intersection less than 10 minutes away from my high school. Unfortunately, we were the car passing through that very intersection on a cold Friday morning. What started as a typical Friday commute turned into one of the scariest days of my life. A year and a half later, there are still doctor visits, assigned stretches, aches and pains, and anxiety. Driving through that intersection is no longer the same during our daily commute. I can see my mother's hesitation when the light turns green. I can see the double glance to make sure no one is coming through the light. I can still feel the apprehension when she is behind the wheel and our light turns green. Distracted driving has changed the way I feel about being behind the wheel. It has taught me valuable lessons about the type of driver I want to be when I receive my license. As a new driver, I am learning to stay alert at all times and make safe decisions behind the wheel. With each lesson, I become more confident in my ability to keep myself and those around me safe.

The accident was not the only time distracted driving affected me. I remember riding in a car with a friend who glanced down at a text message while we were traveling at highway speed. It lasted only a few seconds, but in that short span the car drifted toward another lane. The sudden honk of a nearby vehicle snapped my friend's attention back to the road. My heart was racing long after the moment had passed. What struck me most was how casual the action seemed to my friend—just a quick look, nothing serious. But that "quick look" could have cost us our lives.

Those experiences have made me more aware as both a passenger and a driver. When I sit in the passenger seat, I notice how often drivers around us glance at their phones at stoplights or allow conversations to distract them from the road. As a driver, I have made it a habit to silence notifications and put my phone out of reach before I begin driving. Before I start the engine, I make sure my full attention is on the road. It has also influenced how I interact with others. If I see someone texting while driving, I speak up. It may feel uncomfortable, but I would rather risk an awkward conversation than risk an accident. There are so many people affected by car accidents, education and strict policy can help reduce the number.