The Importance of Driver Education

The importance of driver education is akin to the importance of any education when conducting potentially dangerous activities. The more knowledge and education made available and subsequently taken advantage of is always going to help reduce the number of fatalities. However, the aspect of driver education as a step to reduce the number of deaths related to driving must maintain an effective participation and retention rate. I believe that while it is great to have the programs and resources in place to limit and reduce vehicular fatalities, if the population is not taking advantage of this information then it is all for naught. I believe that financially motivated incentives work the best. People are always looking for ways to save money and to offer a discount off of their insurance premiums, or allow a person to be eligible for a better rate or policy could help motivate people to learn and take these classes. The second part of this incentive is making sure that the information learned is also retained and practiced as well. This could be as simple as implementing something similar to the defensive driving test on a semi annual basis to keep rewarded discounts and upgraded policies in place. Or, it could be as in depth as offering a safe driver certification, similar to having to upgrade the class on a normal license. 

I think car maintenance and care is another large part of safe driving. Having grown up in New Jersey where learning to drive in the snow was just another part of learning how to drive is something I am thankful for. I now live in Denver, Colorado where I see too many accidents because people are driving in conditions that they should not, or are not experienced with. Part of this is also not understanding the importance of all weather vs snow tires. Here in Denver I have helped pull a car out of a snow drift only to realize that the problem was created in the first place by bald, all weather tires. In addition to driver education I think that education on vehicle maintenance and different experiences driving in a variety of conditions would help.

I think that anyone who has been driving has been in an accident, or has had family or friends in one. Most recently, and the worst one yet, was when my parents and older brother were t-boned in California while they were on vacation. The driver of the other vehicle was driving irresponsibly, possibly on their phone, and didn’t see my family's vehicle until it was too late.

When I am a passenger in a car in which the driver is operating irresponsibly, I do my best to assist them so that their focus can remain on the road. Whether that is sending a text, making a call, or finding directions to the destination, I feel it is my responsibility as a passenger to allow the driver to completely focus on operating the vehicle. I am always available to all my friends to be their designated driver. It is more important to me that they get home safely and not risk their own or other people’s lives, but are still able to go out and have a good time.