The Importance of Driver's Education

Those who are most likely to be involved in a car accident are those ages 16-19. Drivers ed is meant to educate young drivers on the rules of the road, how to avoid an accident, and what to do if an accident cannot be avoided. This training is meant to give young drivers the information and skills they need to be a safe driver. According to a study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident”. These statistics prove the importance of drivers ed in reducing injuries and deaths caused by driving. Driver’s education classes are shown to significantly reduce the number of traffic violations and accidents among new drivers. These trends are shown to carry over into the second year of driving causing numbers for alcohol-related violations to decrease. Driver’s education has a significant impact on the age group whose risk of injury is the highest. Although drivers ed classes are important, they are not the only step that can be taken to reduce driving-related deaths and injuries. Drivers ed along with other steps can reduce the number of driving-related injuries and deaths. 

One step that can be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths is requiring drivers obtaining their learner’s permit to take a driver’s education class in all states. Drivers ed classes are shown to reduce the number of traffic violations and accidents in those 16-19, those most likely to be involved in an accident. While educational programs are important there are steps drivers can take every day to be safer on the road. An example of a small picture step to safer driving is to use the settings your smartphone already has. Most phones have a do not disturb option that can be turned on while you’re on the road. This silences your phone to ensure it doesn’t distract you. If you plan on consuming alcohol also make plans to get home safely. Always pick a designated driver and keep those around you out of the driver’s seat if they are under the influence. Have the courage to tell someone if their behavior in the driver’s seat makes you feel unsafe. 

While riding in a vehicle with my family members I have witnessed some irresponsible driving. I have seen family members check their phones or even reply to messages while operating the vehicle. I am most irritated when the operator of the vehicle takes their eyes off the road to check social media. These are both examples of things that can take the backseat while operating a vehicle. It takes 5 seconds on average to check a text message. If a vehicle is going 55mph and the operator's eyes are taken off of the road for five seconds, the vehicle has traveled the length of a football field. A driver can only look away from the road for two seconds maximum and still be safe. This fact makes me uncomfortable watching family members glance at their phones while driving. I know that they are not only putting me and themselves at risk but also anyone else who may be on the road at that time.

Steps I can take to be a safer driver are putting my phone in the glove box or enable settings on my phone that will ensure I cannot use it while I’m driving. This makes use of the “out of sight, out of mind” ideology. Another step I can take is to educate myself on driving laws and accident statistics. I can also advocate for driver’s education classes and other educational programs. To help others be a safe driver I will be bold enough to gently guide those who are operating in a vehicle I’m riding in to keep their eyes on the road and off of their phones. I will offer to read text messages out loud and respond to messages. I will also offer to navigate so that the driver can keep their focus on the road. These are all necessary steps for each of us to take every day to keep ourselves and others safe.