I looked forward to driving throughout my entire childhood, it was one of my biggest dreams. To me, driving was the epitome of freedom, of maturity, my gateway to adulthood. However, growing up I also heard horrifying stories of car crashes, deaths, and family loss. At a young age, my uncle got into an accident, which nearly ended his life. Hearing this story terrified me of driving, but as I began to learn more about the driver education provided to each new driver, I felt comforted knowing the resources are available to me to help prevent these types of situations from happening to me. After completing my driver education, and gaining my license, I quickly realized the reason my uncle survived was because he was equipped with the correct defensive skills to minimize the life lasting effects of an accident. Driver education is vital to reducing the deaths as a result of driving because the better awareness one has, and the more defensive skills one can obtain, the safer and more aware one can be on the roads. I specifically remember one of the units I completed during my online driver education, which was focused on defensive driving. While it discussed the importance of wearing a seatbelt, and keeping two hands on the wheel at all times, it also focused on the life-saving skills of mindfully swerving out of the way, smartly pulling over quickly, or safely stopping abruptly. These skills are necessary to keeping our roads safe. Living near Columbus, Ohio, I have witnessed many near accidents, which have been avoided due to a driver's ability to quickly turn on a defensive mode, and operate their car in ways in order to save themselves, and keep others on the road safe. Driver education is important in preventing driving related deaths, because when an individual is equipped with proper knowledge and skills, they will be able to make smarter and safe decisions on the road, and react faster in times of need.
Additionally, I think it is important to continue to educate the youth of America on the real consequences of drunk driving. As the number one cause of car accidents, and driving related deaths, it is necessary to prevent future drivers from driving under the influence. Personally, in my school education, we briefly covered the cause, consequences, and impacts of drunk driving. I think this should be a topic more intensely and intentionally covered. Educating youth on the lasting impacts of drunk driving, including the possibility of death, will not completely eradicate the presence of drunk drivers, however it may cause individuals to think twice before driving under the influence. This may decrease the number of drunk drivers, and therefore decrease the amount of deaths on the road.
Further, distracted driving is another important issue to promote more education on. In the Fall of 2022, I was hit from the side on my way to the gym. I had just switched into the left lane, and was about to pass the senior living center, when another car failed to yield at a stop sign, and hit my car, knocking me into the neighboring lane near the divider. Thankfully, since my driver education equipped me with defensive driving skills, and the necessary knowledge to move carefully and mindfully on the road, I was able to avoid all possible injuries. The woman who had caused the accident hit me solely because she was driving distracted. She was paying more attention to her backseat passenger, and completely missed the stop sign. The entire accident, and damage to both cars, could have been avoided if the other driver was not distracted. Therefore, I believe it is vitally important to also educate future drivers on the consequences and dangers of driving while distracted. With an upcoming generation increasingly tied to their phones, social interactions, and music, it likely will become even more vital to educate others on the possible consequences, and impacts of driving distracted.
Overall, I think it is important to increase the depth, honesty, and usefulness of driver education. My driver education has greatly helped me become a better, safer driver, however growing alongside my peers, many of them did not receive the same education. Many of them do not understand the importance of defensive driving, or the consequence for driving under the influence, and driving distracted. By improving the quality, and honesty of education on safety on the roads, and preventable accidents, the number of driving-related deaths will greatly decrease, and the roads will generally become safer.