Protecting America

Protecting America

By

Elizabeth Greene

Protecting America

Each state has their own laws and regulations where drivers ed is concerned. In some states you must attend a formal class with an instructor present. While other states say you can earn your learners permit and then be taught by a relative above the age of twenty-one. The differences are pretty clear with a certified instructor you not only get trained on each driving law in your state but also every state as well. While a parent or guardian may not know every driving law you may encounter on the exam. Learning these laws better prepares new drivers on how to navigate the roads as well as any accidents they may face and how to maneuver around them. This can reduce the risk of creating more accidents when drivers are better prepared by a professional.

More states can pass laws on drivers ed to reduce the risk of accidents within their state. For example, in the state of Illinois schools make drivers ed as a part of their curriculum. For a semester students will join a course directed by a professional instructor in which they will first learn the laws of the road and then once they their written exam they will move onto the driving with their instructor. Having the curriculum as a part of school can mean that students will take the course more seriously and therefore take driving more seriously.

Unfortunately, I have had the experience of being in a car accident when I was about eight weeks pregnant with my baby. The person in front of me came to a complete halting stop in a merge lane while it was raining. The sign in front of us said to yield to oncoming traffic however there was none. This caused an accident that could have been prevented if the person slowed down instead of coming to a halt after previously going thirty-five mph. Making sure a person understands the meaning behind signs instead of their own interpretation is a huge mistake in the United States and happens more often than not. After this accident I knew I had to change the way I drive since I can not change every single driver out there. I have become more aware of my surroundings and will safely get out of the way of car that may be driving erratically. I have also found different applications for my phone that will send out a message while I’m driving. This way my phone does not ring and notify me that someone is messaging me. Accidents can happen in a split second you look down at a notification on your phone. I will do everything I can to be safe a driver this will not only protect my life but the lives around me as well.