Safety First!

Staying Safe on the Roads with Drivers ed

The day that I turned fifteen, my mom and I went to the DMV to get my Learner’s Permit. During the long wait in line, my anxiety about learning how to drive continued to grow. After spending my entire life in the passengers seat, driving seemed completely inaccessible to me. I was clumsy, and driving an expensive, extremely dangerous vehicle was an idea that made me uncomfortable.

The next day, on the way home from school, my mom told me it was time: I was going to learn how to drive on my own. I was terrified. Even though I was only driving on the side streets of my neighborhood, I couldn’t even make myself go more than 10 miles per hour. Sitting behind the wheel made me realize the power I had; as I drove past the woman pushing her daughter in the stroller I understood that one false move and I could easily ruin both of their lives.

I didn’t take traditional drivers ed at a school over the summer due to my busy competitive golf schedule, and the months seemed to fly by while I continued to avoid driving. It was only in December when I finally decided it was time to enroll in my online Drivers ed program. Each module resembled that of a school course, and provided me with very detailed PowerPoint’s with valuable information ranging from how to drive and park on a hill to the dangers of driving under the influence. The module regarding driving under the influence hit me particularly hard, showing very graphically firsthand testimonies of the carnage and emotional damage as a result of driving intoxicated. In this way drivers’ education truly can be influential in reducing the amount of deaths as a result of driving. By showing viewers how important it is to drive sober by showing them what can happen as a result of their actions, drivers learn to be more aware of how their actions can affect others. By learning not to drive intoxicated, deaths by driving can be lessened.

To reduce the number of deaths related to driving, drivers ed becomes essential. Visually showing these deaths, through photos or videos, leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. These deaths occur through a variety of means, and whether it be through texting or driving intoxicated, showing the repercussions of a person’s actions physically on another person is effective. This comes after explaining in great detail how to prevent these deaths from happening. By explaining these concepts both verbally and visually, drivers ed appeals to all types of learners, reiterating the concepts enough times that they are able to remember them when behind the wheel.

Though I personally have never been in an accident, I have seen many of my friends get in them and heard painful stories. A friend of one of my close friends only two weeks ago ran into a man on a bicycle. He was forced to go to the hospital, and thankfully he did not pass away. However he was hospitalized and the girl who hit him is currently being sued. Though the repercussions are not as extreme as those in the videos shown by Drivers ed, this action is going to have major repercussions for her. Looking back on the situation, the girl should have learned the proper techniques to drive safely. Distracted driving is absolutely unacceptable, and under all circumstances should be avoided. By putting down the phone, staying aware of your surroundings, and making sure to stay sober on the roads we can become better drivers almost instantly.