Being a driver in today's world is a massive responsibility. Many deaths that have occurred from driving could- and should- have been prevented. Distracted driving and the lack of driver’s education are the two main reasons why the death toll is so high. I believe that driver’s education should still be a course that is taught in all schools, because it is important for all drivers to extensively learn and understand everything about cars, driving, and laws. I know many people who did not even take drivers ed and just passed a test at the DMV and are now legal drivers. Although they are responsible people, they do not have the benefit of driver’s education and do not have some of the knowledge that is fundamental to driving. Just knowing how to turn a wheel and push on a pedal does not mean that a person knows how to drive. In order to really know how to dive, a person must be educated on the laws of the road, the consequences of breaking the laws, the different functions of their cars, and the importance of driving safely. This is another reason why I believe that drivers ed should be taught in schools instead of being separated. I took drivers ed last spring, and it was a 4–6 hour long class that cost almost $500! Many people cannot afford that, but if it was taught in schools, it would be much more affordable and thorough than a very expensive one-time class. While I was in the drivers ed class, they did not really teach students how to drive, they just taught us how not to crash. While that skill is important, I do not think that it's the only skill a person should take away from drivers ed. Driver’s education is probably the most important missing factor in today's generation of drivers. Young drivers who have not learned about why drinking, doing drugs, or texting while driving is bad are much more likely to do it than ones who have been educated about the effects and consequences of those actions. Proper driving education is the key to a safer future on the road.
There are many ways to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. One way is through better education. Educated drivers are safe drivers. Another way is through raising awareness of the common driving issues such as drunk driving, driving high, and texting while driving. While there are many advertisements that say that these things are bad, there are not enough resources that are widely known that tell why these things are bad and show the devastating consequences of these actions. Another way to reduce driving deaths is for families to educate their children from a young age about safe practices of driving. Teaching young children in fun playful ways that they will remember and will have a lasting impression on them are great ways to decrease the number of fatalities from irresponsible driving. As people grow and begin to think about driving, it is important for families to set rules and consequences for irresponsible driving. The parents should talk to their children about unsafe driving practices and tell them of the consequences of those actions. If all driving families talked with their kids about safe and unsafe driving practices, the road would be a much safer place. Kids are more likely to remember and listen to things their families tell them, than what they heard on an advertisement or saw on a sign.
Driving under the influence and distracted driving are the top two reasons for crashes and death. I am lucky enough to not have been involved in a car accident myself, but unfortunately, my dad was involved in a crash with a drunk driver who was speeding down the road. He was fortunate to not have been severely injured, but even still, the cash could have been avoided if the other driver had been educated on the consequences of drunk driving. Many of my friends have been in minor car accidents because they have been driving distracted. I do not ride in the car with my friends because I do not want to distract them, and I also do not feel safe riding in a car with someone who is paying attention to their phone instead of the road. I hope that none of them ever get in a major car accident, and I try to discourage unsafe driving whenever I can, but ultimately the decision to drive safely is up to them.
In order to ensure that I am a safe driver, I don't have my phone out while driving unless I am using the GPS. I am aware of the many accidents and deaths that happen each year, and I do not want to become just another statistic. I try to take all the safety measures I can while driving, and I try to be a positive driving influence on my friends and family.  I also try to stay up to date on driving conditions and news so that I can drive the safest on the road at all times. If conditions become unsafe, or if there is something on my phone that I cannot ignore, then I pull over until the situation is resolved. I take all the steps I can to ensure that I and the people around me are safe, responsible drivers.