Kenneth Ly

In the modern age, a car has become a necessity for people in order to keep them connected with the world around them. However, this necessity is also three thousand pounds of metal that can travel over a hundred miles per hour which makes the knowledge of how to drive a car an even greater necessity. Every time someone gets behind the wheel of a car, there's a chance that it could be a matter of life or death which makes the process of drivers ed to be essential in order to prevent tragedy from occurring while behind the wheel.
Drivers ed is not only important because it teaches students how to drive, but because it teaches them how to remain safe while driving. Most courses around the country go over every detail related to driving such as the meaning of all the road signs, how to drive in different weather conditions, and even proper road etiquette. Without this information, new drivers would easily become confused and may even cause an accident. Another valuable thing drivers ed does is put into perspective the dangers of driving. Most courses have multiple sections over driving under the influence and distracted driving where they list the alarmingly high number of deaths related to them. This can be a real eye-opener for the student and make them more aware of how dangerous driving really is.
As a highschooler, many of my friends and peers have gotten into car accidents over the past years and unfortunately, some have been fatal. Last year my grade lost 3 students in a car accident where the driver was under the influence of alcohol and crashed into a tree. The year before that my friend lost her brother in a car accident to another drunk driver which shows how this story is bound to keep repeating until people begin to realize the responsibilities given to them when they become a driver.
I have recently just acquired my driver's license and thankfully haven't been in any car accidents yet however, there are steps I can take to ensure that this trend will continue to happen and also help others around me become safer drivers. Planning ahead before I go on the road can be a crucial step for my safety while driving. Knowing what routes to take and which lanes to be in will help minimize any risk when I'm behind the wheel. Furthermore, staying focused while driving by keeping distractions such as phones away from me. This will help me stay concentrated on the road and the flow of traffic to not only keep myself safe but those around me.
As the world becomes more and more connected, driving has become an everyday norm within our society. However, in order to ensure the safety of ourselves and those around us, we must look towards programs such as drivers ed to prepare ourselves for the responsibilities that come with driving and not become another statistic.