March
30, 2020
It’s
a Privilege, Not a Right


Drivers ed has long been an integral
part of the process of learning to drive. Young adults are required
to go through several steps before they are awarded with a driver’s
license. It is necessary for them to sit through a driver’s
education class, pass a computer test for a learner’s permit,
practice driving the suggested sixty hours and finally, passing the
all-important driving test. Within this process, they learn the
rules of the road and how to deal with certain situations. Driver
education, if taken seriously by the student and not dismissed as
simply an obstacle towards getting a license, provides the framework
for the new driver of understanding what to expect on the road and
how you should conduct yourself. Drivers ed is critical
because you are introducing a new critical way of thinking that the
student has not previously developed or needed to worry about. The
most important part of drivers ed is that the student
understands that driving is a privilege and not a right, and there
can be deadly consequences for not taking it seriously.



Regrettably,
it is my belief that driving deaths will remain a dismal part of
life. As referenced, an average of 34,000 people die each year in
traffic related deaths. While I believe it is very important to
have organizations dedicated to reducing driving deaths, I think
they are taking on a difficult task. On a macro level, it makes us
feel good to have public service announcements highlighting these
grim statistics and laws have been enacted in certain states
restricting the use of cell phones while driving. I still see
people holding phones while driving! But, on a micro level, do we
really think about these issues until something tragic happens to
ourselves, a family member of close friend? I don’t think so. To
bring about real and lasting change, it will be necessary to change
basic human behavior and thought processes and while I hope this is
something that can happen, I think it will be monumental
undertaking.



Thankfully,
I have not had the experience of being in a car accident and both my
parents are careful drivers, so I learned a lot from them. However,
I have had the experience of kids from my school drinking and
driving, and regrettably, there was an accident a few years back and
several of them died. The saddest part of it all is how easily it
could have been prevented by so many people making smarter
decisions.



In
order to remain a safe driver, it is important to respect the rules
of the road and always be aware of what is going on around you. You
may be a responsible driver, but you have to always assume that the
person around you may do something dangerous and you should be ready
to react. As far as helping others be safe drives, I would
highlight these same principles.