The importance of driver education

The importance of drivers ed by Isabella Armstrong

There are so many more opportunities out there now to become a safer driver then we have ever had. They have driving schools, where they come to your house, pick you up and you go driving with your instructor. When it is time for you to take your test, you can take it with the same instructor you learned from, which is really nice.

Hospitals also offer “Distracted Driving Courses.” Where teens can put on distracted driving goggles and see what it would be like if you were driving, drunk, high or texting. It is a huge eye opener to see how it can affect you when you are driving distracted.

High Schools put on Mock Crashes, where you can see what it would be like if you and your friends were out drinking and driving before and after parties. You can see and experience in real time, where the EMT’s and ambulances will come out onto the football field and tend to the injured patients. It really puts things in perspective and leaves a sick feeling in your gut.

I believe driving is something that will get better as I get older and have more experience. Unfortunately driving is the number one cause of teen deaths.

In 2018 in our state of Arizona, there were a total of 916 fatal crashes. Out of those 916 crashes, 281 were speed related. 290 were not using a safety device. In the 84,088 crashes that were reported in 2018, 846 teens over turned their cars. 1,457 had a collision with a pedestrian and 99 of the cars caught on fire! Even though a teen myself, I sometimes wonder if they should move up the age to start driving. Maybe 16 years old is still too young. We are going to be a lot more mature when we are 25.

I was riding along with my mom a couple of years ago, and we saw these teens being reckless and they flipped their jeep. They were disoriented from the crash, they started walking onto oncoming traffic and my mom had to run up and pull them back onto the side of the road. I don’t think I will ever forget that.

The steps I have taken to be better on the road, starts with me. I have taken driving school, I have learned with both of my parents. I keep my phone in the glove box. Even though sometimes it will be hard, I will try not to drive when I am emotional. Look ahead even when turns are coming up. Pay attention to what is happening in the distance and all around you. Follow the traffic laws. I have also learned how to change my oil and change my tires. And I may even learn how to drive a manual transmission.

Everyone always tells you that learning to drive is a big responsibility. As Ferris Bueller says, “A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn’t deserve such a fine automobile.” To sum it up, driving education is one of the most important educations you can have.