The Importance of Driver's Education

When it comes to driving, teenagers and adults alike are eager to get onto the road as soon as possible. I mean, who wouldn’t? This can be further emphasized by the amount of freedom that comes with having a license. This can range from no longer having to rely on others for transportation (which can be both costly and time-consuming) to getting a job and maintaining financial security. In general, it creates a newfound sense of independence that this demographic yearns for. However, due to this, they use the driver’s education as an end to their means- their license. This is detrimental because they fail to recognize the value in driver’s education and thus enable serious consequences such as life-threatening injuries and fatalities. This is so severe, in fact, that the number of deaths outweighs those of notable wars that involve more risk than driving. It might seem contradictory that something that we do not see as a threat because of its’ normality, actually play an opposite effect. It might seem like there is no hope to fix this dire issue, but there in fact is- through emphasizing driver’s education.

Driver education is important in reducing this number by raising awareness of the issue and enabling prevention and understanding of the responsibilities and impact behind the wheel. Within an updated course, it can raise awareness not only of the number of deaths caused by driving but also through what types of driving that cause this (drunk driving, texting while driving). By raising awareness, students can take further steps at solving the issue such as following procedures listed that can prevent these accidents or reading up on how much responsibility and impact entails a license. Not only can driver education be useful in reducing the number of deaths, but things such as driver incentives and mass prevention can also help. Scholarships such as this and discounted insurance rates from companies for being a good driver and lack of accidents can encourage students to pay more attention to driver’s education and value its importance. As for mass prevention, like D.A.R.E.S. aimed at anti-smoking, driver’s education can follow the same approach through advertising and additional programs, which have proven to work for the previous program. Despite all of this, some people still would not comply, which is why interpersonal connections can help.

While I have been fortunate enough to not experience a car accident, I have seen my family and friends drive irresponsibly. Due to this, it has encouraged me to not follow their steps and take action. Others and I can take steps such as keeping distractions away (out of sight, out of mind!), adjusting everything before leaving (chair, mirrors, etc), and having a plan on where to go ahead of time. To prevent any more fatalities on the road, driver’s education must be further empahsized to raise awareness, prevention, and responsibility. Alongside that, mass prevention, incentives, and interpersonal connections can likewise help.