Without proper education, driving is extremely dangerous for everyone on the road. When operating vehicles at high speeds, it is important for drivers to be aware of the laws and other drivers around them. When those behind the wheel are educated on how to safely do their job on the road, the number of accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, reduces drastically. Drivers must be aware of everyone else on the road. Paying attention to the things happening around you as a driver will ensure the safety of all drivers. Educating young drivers on defensive driving and the laws surrounding operating a vehicle makes the road a safer place for everyone. This brings attention to the dangers of getting behind the wheel and awareness to how much attention is really needed to be safe while driving. As a society the education regarding safe driving has not been emphasized enough, and as a result the number of accidents has risen. In order to lower fatalities and injuries, learning how to drive must carry more weight than it currently does, especially with age groups statistically more at risk.

Bringing driving courses back to public education nationwide will help reduce the number of accidents. Without a school course, the only professional driving programs are often costly and not widely available. Teens learning to drive outside of a school environment can and will produce drivers who are not fully educated on the dangers of driving. Accessibility is a common issue when a profit can be made, even when it comes to courses like safe driving. A lack of education when it comes to life milestones like driving leads to drunk and reckless behavior behind the wheel. Teens are more likely to speed and ignore road signs, leading to a higher number of accidents. The emphasis on educating teens about the responsibility they have on the road is not big enough. When student drivers can learn from professionals without having to pay a pricey amount opens the door for safer drivers and a lower number of accidents overall. Education is fundamental in ensuring the road is a safe place for everyone.

Throughout my life I have experienced family and friends suffering because of driving accidents. While some were behind the wheel and driving irresponsibly, a few have been injured or killed because of drunk drivers or teens who were not fully aware of the danger driving presents. One of my uncles was killed on the way to get his lawyering license by a drunk driver, which changed the way my family viewed both drinking and driving. A long-time family friend was driving irresponsibly to let loose and have fun. She flipped the vehicle she was driving, and I’ll never forget that phone call. Her death affected an entire town, and her family was devastated. I have family members who still choose to drink and drive, and there have been many close calls which would have placed them at fault. When they choose to drink and drive, they are gambling their lives and the lives of everyone in the car and on the road. Safe driving is very important to my family and there has always been a great emphasis on it. Everyone who grows up and begins to learn how to drive in my family is taught about the responsibility they have when they get behind the wheel, and they are all reminded of the ways our family has been affected by irresponsible driving.

When getting behind the wheel, taking the extra steps to be safe while driving could save your life and others around you. Simple things like checking mirrors and making sure the vehicle is fully operational will ensure the ability to be a safe driver. As a parent, making sure the teen getting behind the wheel is sober and awake will keep them and everyone around them safe. As an adult, making sure the car has enough gas to get to the desired destination, the tires have enough air, and everything under the hood is operational will ensure the prevention of an accident at your fault. Taking extra steps as a society to educate young drivers on defensive driving and just how dangerous reckless driving can be will make the road a safer place for everyone. The responsibility of driving is on the shoulders of everyone who decides to get behind a wheel. Reckless and irresponsible driving has legal consequences as well as emotional, and sometimes physical, repercussions for everyone an accident would affect.