Driver’s education is a way to inform people on not only how to drive, but the risks that come with it. There are reasons why education is taught in several different fields. It is not only to gain knowledge, but to stay safe. Construction workers have to learn how to handle the crane, not only to use it to construct a building, but also to learn how to use it in a way that doesn't harm themselves or others. Like any other form of education, driver's education is very important to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries and death on the road.
What does driver's education teach us in terms of reducing the number of deaths on the road? As a graduate of drivers education, what I learned through my course was the potential risks that come with driving. I learned about drinking and driving, and distracted driving while on the road. According to the NHTS (National Highway of Traffic Safety) taking your eyes off the road for even 5 seconds while driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. As a legal driver now, I know that the risks of distracted driving are very, very real. You know when you’re watching a video on something that happened to someone else, you don't really think that it can happen to you, but it most certainly can.
I’ve had several experiences of being in a car accident, and friends and family members being in accidents as well. Usually it was because of a vehicle malfunction, but sometimes it’s been because of distracted driving. I remember when I was twelve years old, my mom was driving home with my brother and I in the car. We were stopped in front of a red light when suddenly a car just ran into us! When my mom went to talk to the guy, he said he was fine and was just on the phone, but the minute my mom asks to swap insurance information and get his license plate number, he pretends to have a sore neck. Now, there are other car accidents that have been my parents' fault also. My father ran into a lady at a four way stop sign in September because he was talking to my brother in the backseat. Now, it was not the lady’s turn to proceed ahead, but even so, if my father was not distracted, the accident could have been prevented. Now you see how both of the accidents I spoke of were because of distracted driving? Drivers could be so much safer on the road if they just prioritized the drive over anything else.
Now I always believe that stupidity is the result of ignorance. If people knew about the dangers of distracted driving, people would be less likely to do it. That is why driver education is so important. I believe that anyone who wants to drive on the road should be required by law to take a drivers education class, and pass the permit test. In Texas where I live, that is the process I personally had to go through. I feel it should be more thorough. Instead of one permit test, there should be two. The first should be for the basics; knowing the road signs, lights, intersections, etc. The second one should be on drivers safety; knowing the dangers of drunk and distracted driving, knowing drivers etiquette, the dangers of speeding, etc. With this, people will be required to have the knowledge to know what could happen when being reckless on the road. This could also reduce the number of deaths on the road as well, because if there’s less people that drive recklessly, there’s less of a chance of a fatal accident on the road. I could also help in this initiative to lead by example, and I believe others should too. Especially if you are a responsible driver that is teaching another beginner how to drive, implementing good driving habits will reduce the possibility of an accident on the road. Driver's education is the solution to reckless driving.
Driver's education is imperative. Just like any other form of education, it can be used to save your life. Why do healthcare professionals receive so many years of training and education before practicing on a patient? It is because they need to have the proper knowledge before handling complex healthcare issues. The same steps should be taken for people who want to drive. When driving, you’re practically risking your life everyday. If driving can take away a life, we should take learning how to pretty seriously!