The Importance of Drivers Education

The Importance of Driver Education

By: Taylor Baldwin

 “Quick, grab the keys and let’s go!” Shelby whispered expectantly.

 “I’m not so sure about this. We’re only 15, and neither of us knows how to actually drive,” John replied hesitantly. 

“If you really like me, then the least you can do is take me for a drive in your dad's totally awesome car. Besides how hard it can be,” Shelby taunted. He reached up, halting a split second before his fingertips touched the keys, which were hanging on the hook.

 “Alright, alright,” John caved. “No harm in going around the block, I mean, what's the worst that could happen?” Both teenagers got into the car and clumsily backed out of the driveway. He had to admit this was really fun. Sure, he wasn't good at driving because he hadn’t even looked at that silly driver's ed course. Who needed training? This was easy.

 “LOOK OUT, JOHN!” She screamed as the deer standing in the middle of the street looked him dead in the eye. They swerved and skidded and slid. Eventually, they came to a stop after running the front of the car into a huge old tree. Airbags deployed and sirens sounded in the distance. The last thing John saw as he lost consciousness was Shelby, folded over, unnaturally still.

 In this short story, John and Shelby are taking an unsupervised and illegal drive around the block. Neither had taken a driving instruction course of any kind, but both assumed they knew more than enough from watching their parents for so many years. They were wrong - driving without instruction can be very dangerous! Every day, six drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 are killed in car accidents, resulting in almost 2,000 teenage deaths per year. Now some who haven't been taught would say, well, that's just it, an accident, that would never happen to me. That is the exact mentality that gets so many people killed on the road. 

 Driver's Ed strives to teach young adults how to drive safely and defensively so that in a split-second decision, they can save their lives and the lives of others. Just like in the story above, being uneducated in this area doesn't just affect the driver him/herself, it can affect all those in the car, on the road, and on the sidewalk! The Drivers Education website, Iowa.gov, says it very well,

“Getting behind the wheel for the first time can be a scary, but exciting experience. Having the freedom to drive yourself opens up a whole new world of possibilities, but being prepared and knowing the rules of the road BEFORE you turn the key will enhance safety for all of us who share the road”.

 ​I took the driver's ed online course when I was 15. I was amazed at how much I truly didn't know about driving! Driver Ed taught me so many important tools and rules of the road. It prepared me for making those split-second decisions, what to do if the brakes give out, how to avoid a deadly crash just by angling the car a certain way, and so much more. Even though it may seem cheesy or silly at first, like why am I doing this? But it really takes a deep dive once you get past the first few lessons. Driver's Ed also gave real-life stories about the people my age, a lot like the ones above. These stories helped me see that accidents really can happen to anyone, even those who drive well. All it takes is one person not driving responsibly to change the course of another's life forever! Driving isn’t about how fast you can go, what type of car you have, or who you can impress. It’s about getting from one place to another safely and on time. We never know what may happen on the road, and that is why our drivers must be educated. Driver's education is so so so important - it is our responsibility to drive well while keeping ourselves and others safe.

 Thank you for the time it took to review this application! I really can’t stress how much your careful consideration means to me. My brother is at the age where he can start driving: my parents will be using the Driver's Ed course! I have no doubt or fear that he will be a great driver as he learns from this course, just as I did. Again, thank you.