Driver education classes are highly important and play a crucial role in one’s learning to drive. These classes teach students valuable rules and skills to keep in mind while on the road, and they show students the importance of safe driving. Reckless driving kills an average of 34,000 people per year in America, which is more than the death toll of Americans killed on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Additionally, the total number of people who die from a car crash in America over a two-year period is more than the number of American deaths that resulted from the Vietnam war over a two-year period. Many new drivers are not aware of these frightening statistics, but the privilege of being able to drive comes with a great responsibility. Many unnecessary deaths have occurred in our nation due to reckless driving and negligence on the road, and driver education classes are an important part of making sure students understand the responsibility that comes with operating a vehicle. Drivers are responsible for not only their own lives, but the lives of those around them.
To reduce the number of car accident-related deaths, students need to be alert and attentive when behind the wheel. This means no texting while driving, no driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and no distracted driving. I have witnessed many instances where drivers had their eyes on their phones instead of the road. I’ve noticed drivers conversing with passengers and removing their hands from the wheel. Once, I even witnessed a minivan careening off the road and crashing through a row of parked vehicles into a home. My dad pulled over and jumped out of his car to make sure the driver was alright, and we came to find out that she was driving under the influence of some sort of drug. She had been injured and was bleeding from her face and mouth, but she didn’t even seem to notice because she was high, and in no state to drive. Yet she had been driving anyway, and this poor decision resulted in harm to herself and to another person’s property. Even in my personal life there have been instances where family members would text and drive or deal with misbehavior from kids while behind the wheel. Granted, no one from my family has ever been in a car accident because of this, but one never knows when a split second spent distracted or one bad choice could result in serious consequences, as seen in the scenario I mentioned previously. It is very important that all drivers, especially new drivers, operate in their right minds and make strong choices, not only when behind the wheel of a car, but also when deciding if they should even be there in the first place.
At the time I am writing this, I have had my driver's license for six months. Driver education class played a big role in how I operate when on the road, as it was hammered into my classmates and I how important it is to follow the rules of the road and make wise decisions. Not only do I know the traffic laws of my state, but I also know the importance of safe driving. I don’t text while I drive, I don’t speed, and I don’t take my hands off the wheel or my eyes of the road. However, this isn’t to say that the temptation isn’t there. In fact, there have been times where I have caught myself reaching for my phone while I drive or exceeding the speed limit, and it’s scary how easy it can be to talk yourself into doing something you shouldn’t. However, in those instances, I remind myself of what I learned in driver education. I put the phone away instead of texting, and ease off the gas pedal instead of speeding. I choose to resist the urge to drive distractedly. I am not the perfect driver, but I do take the steps necessary to keep myself, passengers, and other drivers safe when I am behind the wheel. When my sisters are in the car, I ask them to help me navigate so I don’t have to look at my GPS and away from the road for too long. Driver education has taught me many valuable skills and lessons, and I think it is a completely necessary step to earning a driver’s license. There are many benefits to driving, but one must also understand the potential risks in order to be a safe and responsible driver. Driver education class is a great way to learn about both.