Alicia
Verdier

Driver
Education Initiative Award 2019

There
is a major situation with new coming drivers misinterpreting the
whole concept of driving. As soon as people start taking the driving
learners course, we make sure to be ahead and skim through the course
fast enough to finish. I’ve learned that people taking the course
always had the initiative to ‘cheat’ because, yes, the internet
provides us everything. While taking the curriculum at age 15, I
barely read the information and brushed over the major details. Then
when it came to my test and DBQ’s, I opened another tab and used
our trusty friend Google as any bored, desperate teenager. Usually,
taking the course all depends whether they want it online or in a
traditional classroom. Having it online usually means not discussing
the process with classmates or teachers. Lastly, they must cover all
the material themselves. Although, once they’ve finished the course
and get behind the wheel, reality shifts and Google won’t tell you
what the yellow sign with the squiggly arrow means.
With
drivers ed, we underestimate how useful it can really
become. Drivers ed courses cover the basic material like road
signs, rules of the road, general functions of the vehicle, proper
road etiquette, driving in inclement weather conditions, and
emotional stability while driving. This education can lower incidence
of crashes and convictions, reducing crashes by 4.3% and convictions
by nearly 40% compared to uneducated drivers. Learning is always in
favor of not learning. With everything you know and remember, you
won’t be so prone to crashes or be paranoid with millions of people
on the street.
To
decrease to total percent of vehicle related deaths, there are a few
ways to battle those numbers. Be aware of your senses: Mind other
cars while driving and PAY ATTENTION. Driving with my learner’s
permit, I’ve always had my mom scolding me telling me there’s a
stop sign, or the light is green. It’s so important to think and
act carefully but swiftly. I’ve never been in an accident, but I’ve
been race kart driving recently. I gotten into a clash after the kart
started speeding up and having no control over it. I crashed so hard
to side barricade lifted and I had a raging bruise for a week on my
collarbone. My mentality kicked in and imagined if that was a two-ton
car with harder impact. I was extremely nervous driving to school the
next day. Although, it was a good life stimulation if I were speeding
on the highway.
To
be a better driver, a lesson for me and others out there, stay sober
and keep your emotions away from the road. It’s always a privilege
to drive, don’t ruin it for those on the road and for yourself.
Drive well!





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