Driver Education Initiative Award – Annual Scholarship Opportunity
National Driving and Traffic School is proud to announce their 2021 scholarship opportunity, entitled “In the Driver’s Seat.” The company is seeking to reward essay applicants $3,000 in scholarships- for students entering college or already enrolled in a higher education institution – on the topic of being a safer driver.
Driver Education Initiative 2021: In the Driver’s Seat
The Topic of this year’s essay submissions deals with the serious implications of being a driver. In America, an average of 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving. This is more people who have died in one year as a result of driving, than the total number of American soldiers who have died from war in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The total number of Americans who die within the span of two years as a result of driving is more than the total number of American deaths from the Vietnam war. This is to say, driving is more dangerous and deadly for our nation than being involved in combat, and highlights the serious consequences of being negligent on the road.
Courtesy: NHTSA, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war
Many drivers are not aware of these startling and very scary facts, especially newer drivers. The essay contest “In The Driver’s Seat” seeks to have applicants highlight the importance of being a safe and educated driver. This scholarship seeks to reward six students for his or her submission dealing with the importance of being a safe and educated driver. The application is handled in essay format. To apply, submit an essay of no less than 750 words in Microsoft Word format addressing the following questions:
Questions to be answered in your Essay/Application
- What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number deaths as a result of driving?
- What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?
- Have you ever had an experience of being in car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?
- What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?
This is an annual scholarship program.
2021 Drivers Education
Apply for the 2021 Drivers Ed Online Contest
Submission Details
Applicants must be currently enrolled in either High School, University or College. Employees and relatives of National Driving and Traffic School are ineligible. There will be three contest submission dates. To be eligible for the contest submit your essay by one of the submission dates.
- Round 1: January 4th 2021 – March 31st Winners: Announced May 1st
- Round 2: Accepting entries May 1st – August 1st. Announced September 1st
- Round 3: Accepting entries September 1st – November 30th. Winners announced 1/01/22
* Please note, to limit the number of entries, the minimum word requirement for the essay submissions is 750 words. Entries not meeting the minimum word requirement will not be posted.
Along with your submission please include a picture of yourself which we can post on our site to go along with your essay
The winner will be required to provide proof of successful acceptance to a Higher Institute of Learning, College or University. Payment will be made directly to the applicant’s college. If you have additional questions, please contact us. This contest is open to all students in U.S., Canada, and abroad.
2 winners are chosen for each contest: staff favorite, and most voted for. Vote tallies end on the date of the contest deadline. We award a prize of $500 to each winner every contest.
Previous winners may not reapply.
Previous Contest Winner Announcements
2021 Drivers Ed Essays Gallery
by Kaylen Teves
This essay is based off a memory I had back when I took my first DMV written test for my permit. After making some connections between the reckless behavior of some drivers and how some people try to cheat on DMV tests, it led me to believe that several people take driver's education classes just to get them out of the way in order to be granted the privilege to drive. It seems to me that these people are missing the point on what makes driver's education significant in the first place. I feel that because driver's education is often associated with those learning to drive, there needs to be a new perspective that can apply to all drivers regardless of the level of experience.
by Victoria Cook
I wrote about how to be a safer driver, and my personal experiences in car accidents.
by Kassie Lynne Eldreth
This essay includes my opinion on safety and education for drivers and the driving education in general. How I think some things would be better and how much better the driving community could be if some other steps and precautions are taken today.
by Logan Joshua Hare
This essay is about the distraction of cell phone use by teenagers. I provided statistics with reasoning as to why cell phones are a distraction for teenagers.
by Autumn Gattis
This essay describes the many advantages of receiving proper education regarding safe driving practices when operating a motor vehicle. By sharing some unfortunate events from my youth, I was able to stress the importance of becoming an educated driver. I also shared information that gave readers insight into what a Drivers Ed course may entail, and some of the key lessons that I learned in class.
by Mary Collins
In my essay, I take the essence of what the great baseball player, Tommy Lasorda said and expand upon it concerning the dangers of driving and the consequences people face every time they get on the road.
by Joseph Harris
The importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving.
by Azalea Ryleen Suchodolski
In the essay, "Drive Safe to Stay Alive," I discuss the topics of drivers education, drivers safety, and actions drivers can and should take to prevent any distractions on the road.
by Breanna Bouck
Driver's education is extremely useful fro students to take during their teenage years. It gives them the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful and safe driver. By taking this class, students are provided with the necessary steps needed to avoid an accident.
by Shaima Hussaini
Why driver's education is essential in preventing deaths and accidents, especially those caused by the lack of defensive driving.
by Evgeniya Rybalkina-Evans
My experience of getting a driver's license during Pandemic and an opinion on why it is important.
by Brittnie McGaugh
This essay is about how driving safe can result in reducing the number of deaths that are caused by driving everyday.
by Victoria Tucker
In this essay I highlight why driver education is so important. I give strategies into being a safer driver. I also share a personal experience that a car accident has had on my life.
by Gabrielle Mizer
Today, we have are faced with a problem relating to driving that generations before have not had to overcome. With all the technological advances in the world, most of them have improved the quality of our lives. However, when it comes to getting behind the wheel, we now have the decision to focus on the road or focus on being connected with our phones. This relationship with technology all starts the very moment we hand our children their first smart phone.
by Tahlia Josephine Famularo
In my essay, I argue that the number of accidents (particularly fatal) can be decreased when we ensure that everyone is educated, but also propose changes we can make to the curriculum and the road that I believe could further decrease fatal accidents.
by Ryan Bradshaw
A look into the problems surrounding driver safety with potential solutions and recommendations. Anecdotes included supporting my reasonings.
by Nicholas Karas
This essay is written to explain and convey the importance of driving while dealing with a dangerous situation that can impact our lives.
by Jacob Spell
Arrive alive! No distractions while driving. Know the rules of the roads and pay attention at all times!
by Sean Love
My take on how we can combat driving deaths into the future.
by Anna Cheh
My essay is about the importance of driver education for young people, which should start early and continue through the High School, if we want to be a country of safe drivers! I will share my vision of the steps needed to achieve it and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
by Yanyua Vue
Drivers Education is important in driving safely and preventing accidents, but why is that? Here is my experience in drivers education and driving, my view of how important drivers education is, and what steps we can take in preventing more car accidents happening in the future.
by Tammara Bourassa
My essay explores the tragedies that occur due to drinking and driving.
by Meagan Hope Stremmel
In this essay, I explore the importance of driver's education, ways that myself and others can take steps to decrease the number of deaths that occur on the road, and share a short story from my own life about the importance of being focused and alert while driving.
by Kierstin Bennett
The importance of driving education, how to make it happen and why. If we work together in our communities we can reach more drivers and work together to reduce distracted driving.
by Aemilia Blais
This essay explores the importance of driver education, how it relates to safe driving, and how personal experience can serve as a motivator for someone to advocate for safe driving.
by EllyAna Lee Davis
The importance of safe driving and how it can affect you and others around you.
by Serenity Dylan
I have experienced dangerous driving. I'm sure everyone has. There are several types of dangerous drivers including new drivers, reckless drivers, distracted drivers and drunk drivers. Drivers education can solve most of these. Legislation for bars and for driving distractions can solve the other problems. Legislating mandatory periodic refresher drivers education, for example, would improve everyone's skills. These things could go a long way in reducing crashes and fatalities.
by Eden Dyer
This essay draws from my personal experience with drunk driving.