Statistics show that car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, currently 33% of all teen fatalities! That’s one-third of all teenage deaths attributed to car crashes. In addition, drivers who are in their 1st year of driving are 1,000% more likely to have car accidents than another age group, and 95% of all car crashes are because of driver error. Driver distraction, night driving, not fastening seat belts, and inexperience are the main reasons that young drivers cause or are severely hurt in crashes. All of these statistics and facts support the need for a solid, thorough Driver’s Education program for all young drivers before they get behind the wheel. Knowing the dangers that are out there daily, 100% of the time can save a teenager’s life. If they aren’t aware of them, how would they know to avoid them?
To reduce the number of deaths related to driving accidents, a foundation in Driver’s Education must be available to study, both in classroom (either in person or online) hours and then actual driver training. Teens score higher on the driving exam and demonstrate longer-term knowledge if they’ve been in a Driver’s Education course compared to peers that did not. The risks of not preparing to get behind the wheel through a formal Driver’s Education program far outweighs any cost of time or money saved by not taking one. It is safest to enroll in a professional Driver’s Education course where all of the parameters of driving are discussed, practiced, and tested by a teenager through a teacher. Parents, more likely than not, will not remember EVERYTHING from when they first began to drive so many years ago…they may be able to cover most of the basics, but so much more that can happen that a parent may have never experienced themselves can be overlooked, and that might cost a teenager their lives. A parent might even make their teenager just a bit more nervous than a professional instructor simply due to the dynamic (or lack thereof) of the relationship
One major topic of discussion that needs to happen with parents, however, is about drinking and driving. My family was involved in a major accident when I was 7, and we were hit from behind while sitting at a stoplight around 7pm by a drunk driver. He was arrested, and it took 2 years for a settlement to be made regarding my own injuries. His choice cost my family money, time, multiple trips to doctors, and a long process of settlement on my part…just because he decided to drink that night. Driver’s Education programs teach the dangers (and legal repercussions) of drinking and driving, but people do make poor choices that cost lives, damage property, and cause lengthy court battles to ensue.
I can definitely contribute to safety on the road with my decisions. I can keep my phone on “driving” mode so that if anyone calls or texts, a message will automatically be sent to anyone trying to contact me that I’m unable to answer due to driving and that I will contact them when I’m not driving anymore. I can minimize the distractions in the car such as food or drink, loud music, loud passengers, and anything else that I’m tempted to pay attention to more than the road. I can let my passengers handle phone calls or reading something such as a paper map. When I’m the passenger, I can do all of the things I’ve just mentioned for the driver so that they aren’t tempted to grab their phone, read while driving, or district them with being too loud or trying to have them look at something off the road in front of them.
In addition, encouraging my friends who aren’t licensed yet to take a Driver’s Education course from a reputable and licensed company will help inform them when they don’t know where to begin. I can share my own experience and my younger brother’s as well since we took our classes from different companies. I know that some would prefer online classes like my brother took while others prefer in-person lessons for the classroom portion. Also, I can explain what it was like to have the Parent-taught lessons vs. the driving school option my brother had instead. Options are important!
I hope that teenagers will continue to pay attention to the benefits of Driver’s Education. Honestly, their life and the life of others on the road with them depend on it.