Don’t leave Skid Marks

Driving is one of the most taken-for-granted things in our day-to-day life. Most Americans spend some portion of their time in a car each day. I know I certainly do. Consequently, we become too comfortable in our own vehicles. Accidents are a common occurrence, and currently, car-related death rates are some of the highest they’ve ever been since the car’s invention. Many of these are preventable if people would just take the time to learn how to handle a 2-ton mass of steel accelerating at 40 mph. Over 3,000 people die in traffic accidents daily and one of those people could be reading this essay. Getting a Driver’s Education is the best way to stay on the road without having to worry about being another statistic.

Driver’s Education is an effective tool that many have been neglecting. As studies demonstrate, young drivers without Driver’s Ed. are 16% more likely to have an accident. There are two ways that collision can be their last. Either by educating themselves and preventing a second time or by driving to their own deaths. Just because you’ve been driving for a while and have been fine so far doesn’t mean you are in the clear. In a study, one group of teens logged hours of driving with their parents while another took a formal Driver’s Ed. course. The second group that had state-approved education had a significantly lower rate of accidents than the group that logged hours.

It’s important to not only educate yourself about the dangers of the road but also others. Getting behind the wheel without any real training is just as dangerous as getting in the car with your inexperienced friend at the wheel. Checking oil levels, gas, and having a routine maintenance test is a smart decision to prevent your brakes from giving out on a steep mountain slope or popping a wheel on the freeway. While driving, keep a constant awareness of other vehicles and pedestrians around you as well as an eye out for road signs. Make sure other drivers are aware of your action by using your turn signals and your horn when necessary. Don’t let your emotions affect your driving. These are bad habits that you will carry for your entire life if not corrected. Driver’s Ed. courses you go through teach you about situations even experienced drivers have never encountered. Some examples are rare weather conditions or animals crossing. Becoming educated on these topics will avoid unnecessary stress and allow everyone to feel safer.

One time, my dad was leaving a parking lot after just having dropped me off at school.

He turned left out of the lot and out of nowhere a large black SUV appeared behind him. He was going 30 mph. It was going 80 mph. My Dad accelerated to avoid getting rear-ended and the driver behind him swerved into the next lane. I sighed in relief watching all this occur from the sidewalk. Then, the SUV made a sharp turn into the lane in front of my dad and came to a dead stop. I screamed as I watched my dad hurl towards a 45 mph collision. The SUV accelerated at the last moment. My dad’s car rocked with the force of the brakes as he screeched to a halt. I was still paralyzed on the sidewalk and would later text my dad to ask if he was ok. He was. He explained the driver had been angry that the car ahead of him was going slower than he had and had acted rashly, choosing to forfeit multiple people’s safety for petty revenge. What that driver didn’t know, is that road rage is responsible for more than 50% of collisions that end in fatality. This was only a month ago. I’ve seen many situations like this, from my friend’s mom putting on make-up while driving, to smoking wrecks on the highway. People sacrifice safety for silly things.

Driver’s Ed. is the best way to keep these kinds of poor decisions off the road. I’ve taken a Drivers Ed. course, so I know how it stresses the importance of keeping your emotions in check while driving. Had the person my dad encountered taken the class, maybe they would have acted differently that day. Maybe I could feel a little safer driving on a public street. If everyone took the time to prepare for the privilege of driving, maybe everyone would feel safer on the road. What’s a little time and money for your life?

Experience and overconfidence don’t replace a proper understanding of driving mechanics and safety. Having the experience of driving incorrectly can be just as bad as having no experience at all. Don’t leave skid marks. Driver’s Ed. is the number one way to keep yourself, family, friends, and strangers safe while on the road.