In my sophomore year of high school, I was excited to get behind the wheel. I started the year out in driver education, spending the semester learning the rules of the road. During that time, I passed my permit test, getting me one step closer to becoming an actual driver. I remember feeling a similar sense of excitement from everyone. At fifteen years old, all one can think about is ways they can gain independence. Driving, on your own, was the next step in achieving this idea of maturity for most. Despite this, most of my classmates in my driver education class saw it as a free credit; an easy to pass class. Only a couple of students, including myself, would eagerly raise their hands to answer questions about the meaning of road signs or how to properly change a tire. In the end, everyone passed the class, and most went on to obtain a driver’s permit license. On the other hand, I had some friends who were unable to take a proper driver education course due to the emergence of Covid-19 in March 2020. Although they still “passed” the class by default, most told me about their concerns of not knowing the basics of driving as they were unable to take the usual, thorough class. Driver education is a fundamentally important course to learn how to safely operate a vehicle. Without, new drivers do not have confidence in their ability to drive. In fact, new drivers who did not receive driver education are 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident. Driver education reduces the chances of these types of accidents by teaching young drivers how to obey the traffic laws, be predictable, avoid distractions, drive rested, and steer clear of alcohol and drugs. Therefore, driver education is an essential course for those who seek to drive a car and make the roads safer for all.
Although I took and passed my driver education course, the additional behind-the-wheel course my state requires young drivers to take provided me with the experience to be a good driver. To reduce incidents of getting tickets or into accidents, courses like behind the wheel are a vitally useful tool. Behind the wheel allows new drivers to get experience operating a motor vehicle with a knowledgeable instructor. It also lets drivers apply what they learned in driver education courses to the roads, helping them better understand the aspects of driving. Together, driver education and behind-the-wheel can notably reduce deaths related to driving.
I think it is not only important to facilitate these courses for new drivers but to also emphasize the importance of driving safely. Amongst my friends, I have seen various examples of careless driving, even a car accident. My friend was making a left turn as I was in the passenger seat. The light was on green, asking for those turning left to yield. We were deep into a trivial conversation, causing her to not thoroughly look before turning left. Within a second, the back of the passenger side was hit, sending us spinning. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but both cars were totaled. Although I was not the one driving, I noticed after experiencing an accident that my driving has changed. I was driving slower, paying more attention, and being more cautious. My friend told me that they had noticed a change in their driving as well. Ironically, the car accident served as an epiphany to us about the importance of driving. Before, I thought I understood the gravity of driving. However, now I realize that I was somewhat careless in my approach to driving, seeing it as something cool to do instead of factoring in the consequences that driving improperly could bring. Therefore, I think it is important that during driver education, instructors and teachers stress the seriousness of being behind the wheel to students, so they will not subconsciously make the same careless mistakes.
After driving for over a year, I have been able to learn and adapt to become a better driver for not only my safety but the safety of others. I still have a long way to go with my experience as a driver, so I hope to further evolve my abilities as a responsible driver and help my friends improve as well. Being on the road is a collective responsibility of all drivers. We must all take the same steps to ensure the safety of everyone. Where can we start? Driver education.