Brandon
D’Egidio






The
importance of having a quality drivers ed is similar to
anything that is built. The foundation on which we build is the most
important part of being successful. A strong and well-taught driver
education can make all the difference in helping young drivers
develop life-long safety habits. These habits translate into safer
drivers and thereby lowers the accidents and chances of a fatal
accident.




Another
step, other than a strong foundation, is the saturation of safety
messages. The more young drivers hear and see safe driving messages,
the more likely they are to heed them. Getting the word out is always
an effective way of helping people to get the message. In a twist
though, the more student-centered the message is - coming from young
people to young people - the more powerful it can be. A movement like
MADD, or SADD, can become something just as effective.




In
my own personal life, I have been blessed to not have been in an
accident or had a family member involved in an accident. I do however
see my family and friends drive irresponsibly and immediately make it
known that it is unsafe and unacceptable. Several times I have been
with my father when he tries to text and drive. When I see this, I
tell him to put it away or that I will drive or that I don’t want
to die. When he realizes it, he stops and puts his phone away. I
remind him that being an experienced driver does not mean he can take
more chances. I almost always put my phone in the center console and
use only bluetooth to speak or text. When I do forget to put it away,
I stick it behind my back on the seat so I cannot easily get to it.




My
dad also put the Safe Driver App on my phone and now monitors my
driving, We kind of have a competition of who can get the higher
score on each trip and overall. I think the challenge of “winning”
can make me, or others, a better driver. Maybe that can become a
local or state or national competition over time - students register
and who ever gets a high score, or keeps a high score, earns points
toward rewards or prizes or cash. It can be linked, more than like
now for insurance breaks, to tuition grants or pay scale bumps or tax
return credits. There are a number of things it can be connected to.
Most people, especially teens, are always looking for something quick
and easy but also rewarding.