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What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?
Driver Education Initiative
Yasmeen Maire Owens
Gastonia, NC
Yasmeen Owens
November 25, 2019
The importance of drivers ed
What is the importance of drivers ed in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving? Every year, drivers throughout the world are killed or injured in road traffic. Young drivers run a greater risk everywhere, and this problem is largely unsolved. A better understanding of the underlying processes could, however, be a useful tool in preventive endeavors. To change a young driver’s goals behind driving and the context in which it is done, a variety of different methods of persuasion should be tested. For example, communication and increased enforcement may be used simultaneously. Communication campaigns should highlight the dangers of unsafe behavior and in particular target young males. Communication campaigns that employ persuasive, emotional messages are most effective where young drivers are concerned.
Research shows that attitudes about safety are formed at an early age, long before legal driving is concerned. Research shows that attitudes about safety are formed at an early age, long before legal driving, and therefore it would also be important to target young adolescents. Law needs enforcement to be effective and should target areas of particular risk to young drivers. Drivers ed or communication campaigns can’t be expected to radically change a young person’s life goals. For that purpose, active learning methods that make use of the learner’s own experiences have to be applied. Special courses for young drivers designed to make individuals conscious of their personal tendencies and type of social context that affects their driving behaviors could be helpful, whether offered via the ordinary school system or at driving schools.
These should place particular emphasis on issues such as speed, drunk driving, mobile phone use, and should target both groups. Research also shows that attitudes about safety are formed at an early age, long before legal driving, and on the basis, it would also be important to target young adolescents. Law needs enforcement to be effective and should target areas of particular risk to young drivers. Enforcement and communication campaigns should be used in combination. A combination of different methods gives the best results. It can’t be expected that drivers ed or communication campaigns will radically change a young person’s life goals. For that purpose, active learning methods that make use of the learner’s own experiences the needed skills and capabilities are provided before full licensing is permitted. This is usually done wither less formally under the supervision of a parent, other adults licensed driver, in-class and in-vehicle instruction, or both.
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