Why drivers ed is important to every family?
I love my mom and
dad but when they use their phones in the car, every muscle in my
body tenses up. Before I took Drivers ed through the state
of Maryland, I honestly did not think that much about the phone in
the car. We would be driving and someone would call in and my mom
would take the call. Or my dad’s phone would buzz and he would look
down to see what was delivered. I didn’t think it was that big of a
deal. Now I know it is.

Driver’s
education is a huge part of keeping people safe on the road. The
effects can be seen in how strict states are with their driver’s
education programs. Maryland, the state that I live in, has very
strict drivers ed laws and programs and as a result,
Maryland has the sixth lowest teen crash and death rates in the
country. Alabama, on the other hand, does not require driver’s
education and they have the sixth most teen deaths related to car
crashes.

Part of the
solution is for teens to start a conversation with their parents and
friends about not using their phones while driving so that cultural
standards begin to change. My parents now put on the I cannot talk
I am driving response because they listened to me and what I
learned in drivers ed. That worked for me and my situation
but to make everyone a safer driver, driver’s need to be held more
accountable and driver’s need to be better informed on how to stay
safe. The restrictions on voluntary distractions or inhibitors, such
as driving under the influence or texting and driving, need to be
better enforced. Texting while driving should be put on the same
level as DUIs and should have the same or stronger punishments. Also,
as mentioned in the previous paragraph, drivers ed is a
huge contributor to safer driving, so a nationwide mandate should be
put in place for extensive drivers ed for all teens. These
restrictions and education would make my friends and family and
myself all better drivers.

Additionally, there
were other instructions that I received in drivers ed that
specifically addressed rules that had changed since my parents took
drivers ed. For instance, I shared with my parents to no longer do
the 10 and 2 hand placement and my parents now follow the safe
stopping distance of 7 feet behind other cars. I also taught my mom
the correct way to stop at a stop sign (stop line, cross walk, seam
of the road).
My
parents were really strict about the mandatory driving hours before I
could get my license. They had me drive many more hours than required
and I think this was such a good experience. I feel very confident
while driving and my parents also feel confident when I drive.

Ultimately, driver’s
education taught me much more about safety and being a good citizen
than just driving rules. I want to continue being an educated driver
and to help others understand why it is important.

.