Every year, every week, every day, every minute, every second, teens are dying or getting severely injured due to car accidents. Many of these accidents are preventable, and we can avoid them by educating our youth and each other on the importance of safe driving and following the rules of the road. "Well, what if I already know the rules of the road?" — You may be asking. Knowing the rules does not exactly mean you abide by them. The real question is: "Do I drive safely and appropriately?" All drivers, whether you are new or experienced, should ask themselves this simple question that can save lives.
Let's outline the reasoning and importance of driver's education. It is a program designed to teach incoming drivers the skills and knowledge that are necessary to drive responsibly. This program includes classroom instruction where students learn about traffic laws, road signs, the dangers of driving while tired or under the influence, and how to handle emergencies. After completing the classroom portion, students will have Behind-The-Wheel training with their licensed instructor before taking their road skills test at the DMV. Driver's education should not be looked at or treated as a waste of time. There are people just like you operating motor vehicles, the same people who have families and friends they want to return home to instead of being stuck at the hospital, injured, or dead. Remember, taking the time to evaluate and improve your driving skills can help reduce the number of crashes and deaths.
I have never been in a car accident myself, but my parents and a couple of my friends have. I can only imagine the fear they must have felt in those moments. Though I have not been in an accident, I have had some close calls. One day, my mother and I were out running errands, and we were driving back home during rush hour. Suddenly, the driver of a trailer truck was not paying attention and tried to enter the lane we were in, causing it to almost hit us, but my mother quickly responded by moving into another lane before it could. It was a terrifying moment that could have gone wrong entirely due to someone's carelessness and lack of safety. There was another time when my father was driving what I consider "irresponsibly" by picking up speed to catch a yellow light we were nowhere close to. If he had not stopped, we would have most likely crashed in the middle of the intersection.
I am a step closer to completing driver's education and receiving my provisional license. I learned a lot during classroom instruction about how many people drive based on social norms instead of following the law, which is something I refuse to be a part of. Being a safe driver starts with obeying traffic laws, being alert, and considering that there are other people on the road. You cannot worry about people with limited patience and road rage, if you are doing what you are supposed to, you are not in the wrong. New drivers will thrive on the road when they learn from someone who ensures they drive smartly and carefully. When I am in the car with someone, I monitor their speed and make sure they are not overly distracted by anything. If I notice they are going way over the speed limit or if they are not paying attention to the road because they are looking at their phone, I comment on it. Observing how others drive and giving them advice is also a start for becoming a safe driver. No one can learn unless we put in the effort to teach one another.
When you drive safely, you are not only protecting yourself, but you are also protecting your passengers, pedestrians, and everyone else on the road. Driving is a huge responsibility that you should take seriously because it can cost you or someone else's life if you are not careful. Following laws and signs, limiting any distractions, and never driving under the influence will save more lives and cause less damage than you think. Car accidents can be physically and emotionally traumatizing to anyone involved, so do not be the reason people and their families must carry that pain with them for the rest of their lives. When one person drives responsibly, they set an example for others, encouraging safety and accountability. Making safe and smart decisions goes a long way when behind the wheel because it can take just a second to change your life or someone else's.