Forty thousand lives could be saved every year if everyone took driving classes. While learning to drive from a trusted adult may be easier and cheaper, lives are at stake when new drivers do not fully understand the rules of the road. Attending a defensive driving school helps new drivers gain confidence, develop responsible driving habits, and understand road safety. As a newer driver, I am happy to say that I took driving classes and now feel much more confident and aware of my surroundings.
Learning to drive is not an innate skill, like walking—it requires time, practice, and patience. In driving school, new drivers learn the rules of the road under the guidance of certified instructors. These instructors are trained to identify and correct dangerous habits while helping students develop safe driving techniques. Studies have shown that teens who go through mandated defensive driving programs are more prepared for real-world driving compared to those who do not. According to reports, some states require teens to obtain a graduated driver’s license (GDL) before driving independently. A GDL is a type of license that:
“… includes a learner’s permit during which driving is allowed only with a parent or instructor, nighttime restrictions that limit late-night driving, limitations on the number of passengers teens may carry, a specified period of unsupervised driving without crashes or violations (intermediate license), and prohibition of use of any electronic device while driving.”
By requiring teens to obtain a GDL, states ensure that young drivers have enough time to practice defensive driving, gain experience, and develop responsible habits behind the wheel.
A decrease in distracted driving is correlated with fewer deaths on the road. Distracted driving is not limited to using a phone—it also includes eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, or even jamming out to music. Any action that takes a driver’s attention away from the road reduces reaction time, which is one of the most critical aspects of safe driving. Furthermore, understanding and following traffic laws contribute to lower accident rates. If more drivers adhered to the rules and practiced basic car safety, such as wearing seatbelts, fewer accidents would occur. Additionally, implementing zero-tolerance policies on distracted driving could encourage drivers to stay focused and decrease automotive-related fatalities.
My personal experience behind the wheel has taught me just how unpredictable driving can be. I was involved in an accident once, but thankfully, no one was hurt. It was my first accident, and my younger siblings were in the car with me. When we were hit from behind, my body lurched forward, and my immediate thought was to check on my siblings in the backseat. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel fear or anger—I was simply shocked that the driver had been so distracted that they hit a car filled with kids. This experience taught me that age does not always correlate with driving experience or attentiveness. It also reinforced the importance of wearing seatbelts. If my siblings and I had not been buckled in, they could have been seriously injured. Since that day, I have become much more aware of the cars behind me and always ensure my seatbelt is securely fastened. I now understand that anyone can be hit at any time, and it is crucial to stay alert.
Unfortunately, distracted driving has become dangerously normalized. Companies have even created phone mounts for cars, making it easier for drivers to glance at their phones while driving. Although some jobs may require immediate attention, it is never worth risking lives. Some drivers may believe that their experience overrides their ability to be distracted, but this is false. Picking up a phone while driving puts everyone on the road in danger, not just the distracted driver. While texting and driving is illegal, talking on the phone while driving is still widely accepted. By enforcing stricter laws on distracted driving and increasing public awareness campaigns, we can reduce fatalities and make the roads safer for everyone.
As a newer driver, I take extra precautions to ensure that I stay focused while driving. To minimize distractions, I often place my phone in the backseat or face down in the passenger seat. This simple habit helps me resist the urge to check notifications and keeps my attention on the road. Many phones now have settings that automatically notify the person texting that the driver is unavailable because they are driving. Others can also contribute to safer driving by wearing seatbelts and limiting distractions. If we could all prioritize safety instead of the entertainment of ourselves, we could create safer roads for newer drivers. After all, imagine how it feels to lose a loved one simply because of the ringing of a phone.