Driving - often seen as a mundane part of our daily lives - carries a hidden danger that remains the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, in 2023 alone there were 40,990 lives in vehicle-caused crashes along with 289,310 injuries caused by distracted driving. These disturbing statistics underscore the critical need for driver education and awareness. By helping drivers to understand the importance of safe driving, we can prevent unnecessary tragedies and make our roads a safer place.
Driver education programs are vital to the reduction of traffic-related fatalities. These programs equip drivers with the skills and knowledge essential to safely navigate the roads. A study conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln revealed that “young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident…”. I have first hand seen the positive effects that driving education programs bring. When I was in Germany this summer, I noticed that I did not see a single car crash, nor did I ever see a driver that made me feel nervous or unsafe. This observation led me to investigate Germany’s rigorous licensing process. Through my research I discovered that drivers must complete a mandatory eight-hour first aid course, a minimum of 37 instruction hours, pass a theoretical and practical exam, and spend a tremendous amount of money. These requirements may seem extremely stringent, but I view them as necessary. In 2023, Germany only had 2,839 vehicle-caused deaths in 2023, only 6% of the U.S. number for that year.
The United States should implement more rigorous programs mandatory for all prospective drivers. New drivers should have to complete a minimum of 10 instructional driving hours and complete both a written and driving test. To earn my drivers license two years ago in Florida, all I had to do was walk into the DMV, take the road “test”, get my photo taken, sign a paper, and drive home with a license. I think that this process is much too loose, and if we are ever going to bring down the death level on the road, then we need to enforce better education requirements for new drivers.
I also believe that DUIs and other major offenses should be taken much more seriously. Right now, if you get a DUI, you will still be able to drive with the completion of an online or in-person driving test and the payment of a fee. I think that these irresponsible drivers should have much more stringent requirements in order to retain their licenses. The United States should require in-person course requirements along with another 10 instructional driving hours in order for these drivers to keep their licenses. I have personally experienced an intoxicated driver driving the wrong way in my lane, straight towards me head-on. This experience was extremely frightening, and if I hadn't been such an alert and careful driver able to swerve out of the way, I may not be here today. I am not sure if that person was pulled over and given a DUI, but if they were, I am confident that they certainly should not be on the road today.
Car manufacturers should also take a stance against unsafe driving by implementing more safety features into budget-friendly cars. I am blessed to drive a vehicle equipped with many safety features including automatic braking, but many drivers do not have this. I think that if car manufacturers made safe cars more accessible to the general public, we would see a significant drop in the number of crashes and fatalities in our country.
In order to remain a safe driver and role-model, I always follow speed-limits, maintain focus, stay off of my cell phone, and wear my seatbelt. I think that spreading the importance of safe driving through word of mouth, social media, and campaigns is extremely important.
Overall, I hope to see more stringent requirements required to earn a drivers license in the United States, followed by a drop in the number of vehicle-related fatalities. I pray that I nor anyone that I love and care for is ever involved in a car crash caused by a distracted or intoxicated driver, which I think is possible if drivers are more educated. Every driver shares the road with someone’s loved one; by prioritizing education and responsibility, we can protect these lives and foster a safer country.
Driver education programs are vital to the reduction of traffic-related fatalities. These programs equip drivers with the skills and knowledge essential to safely navigate the roads. A study conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln revealed that “young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident…”. I have first hand seen the positive effects that driving education programs bring. When I was in Germany this summer, I noticed that I did not see a single car crash, nor did I ever see a driver that made me feel nervous or unsafe. This observation led me to investigate Germany’s rigorous licensing process. Through my research I discovered that drivers must complete a mandatory eight-hour first aid course, a minimum of 37 instruction hours, pass a theoretical and practical exam, and spend a tremendous amount of money. These requirements may seem extremely stringent, but I view them as necessary. In 2023, Germany only had 2,839 vehicle-caused deaths in 2023, only 6% of the U.S. number for that year.
The United States should implement more rigorous programs mandatory for all prospective drivers. New drivers should have to complete a minimum of 10 instructional driving hours and complete both a written and driving test. To earn my drivers license two years ago in Florida, all I had to do was walk into the DMV, take the road “test”, get my photo taken, sign a paper, and drive home with a license. I think that this process is much too loose, and if we are ever going to bring down the death level on the road, then we need to enforce better education requirements for new drivers.
I also believe that DUIs and other major offenses should be taken much more seriously. Right now, if you get a DUI, you will still be able to drive with the completion of an online or in-person driving test and the payment of a fee. I think that these irresponsible drivers should have much more stringent requirements in order to retain their licenses. The United States should require in-person course requirements along with another 10 instructional driving hours in order for these drivers to keep their licenses. I have personally experienced an intoxicated driver driving the wrong way in my lane, straight towards me head-on. This experience was extremely frightening, and if I hadn't been such an alert and careful driver able to swerve out of the way, I may not be here today. I am not sure if that person was pulled over and given a DUI, but if they were, I am confident that they certainly should not be on the road today.
Car manufacturers should also take a stance against unsafe driving by implementing more safety features into budget-friendly cars. I am blessed to drive a vehicle equipped with many safety features including automatic braking, but many drivers do not have this. I think that if car manufacturers made safe cars more accessible to the general public, we would see a significant drop in the number of crashes and fatalities in our country.
In order to remain a safe driver and role-model, I always follow speed-limits, maintain focus, stay off of my cell phone, and wear my seatbelt. I think that spreading the importance of safe driving through word of mouth, social media, and campaigns is extremely important.
Overall, I hope to see more stringent requirements required to earn a drivers license in the United States, followed by a drop in the number of vehicle-related fatalities. I pray that I nor anyone that I love and care for is ever involved in a car crash caused by a distracted or intoxicated driver, which I think is possible if drivers are more educated. Every driver shares the road with someone’s loved one; by prioritizing education and responsibility, we can protect these lives and foster a safer country.
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