Importance of driver education

2021 ZR1 Citrus-Orange Corvette was a dream of any man, who knew something so beautiful would bring so much pain so suddenly; “Driver still inside, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. A passenger survived but his conditions are unknown; Summit County Medical examiner is working hard to identify the victim”- Are no words you’d ever imagine hearing May 15^th, 2021 3:17:03 a.m. the life of my great uncle Curtis A. Spears was claimed in fiery crash; Losing control of his vehicle striking a utility pole.

Being knowledgeable about any machine that one intends to use is the best way to keep themselves as well as others safe. The moment that one assumes his or her responsibility as a driver, they are now responsible for the safety of all the people using that car as well as other road users. Just like the operation of any machine, one requires to be educated on the risks and benefits of using a car.

Most people study their driving material with the end goal of passing their theory tests and obtaining their drivers licence but the there is more to just passing the test and getting the driving licence. Just think of it, what if the criteria for getting a drivers licence was based on one’s ability to switch on the car, change the gears and hit the road. We would have many drivers but will they be good drivers? The answer is simple, no, they will not be good drivers. So what makes a good driver? Being able to take people from one place to another whilst maintaining the safety of those in the driver’s car as well as other road users is what makes a good driver. So how does one become a good driver? It’s simple, get educated, hence the theory tests.

A lot of people have lost their lives as a result of careless or uneducated drivers. Some of the causes of accidents can be easily avoidable by just being an educated driver. Take for instance, only an educated driver will be able to tell when the breaks are wearing out and be able to take the necessary measures and avoid some avoidable accidents. Sometimes the unavoidable happens and as an educated driver, one will be equipped on how to deal with the situation. For example, one doesn’t have control over a driver coming from the opposite direction with a full beam light but when educated, they will know how to react. Another example is when one just finds his or her car waving from side to side and when educated, one will know a tire could have burst and they are able to take the necessary measures. Without driver education, one can find himself panicking hence putting everyone in danger most probably hitting and causing deaths.

Driver education does not only equip one with car use but also with the appropriate conduct as a driver. When educated, one will know why it is important to not display road rage and the implications of road rage. Being educated also furnishes one with knowledge about the different people one will meet and how to respond so that safety is maintained, for example, an educated driver will know that when there are children playing by the side of the road, there should be cautious as the ball can bounce into the road and the children can then run into the road. There are many rules on the road and the only way to know them is to be educated about them. All the road rules were put in place to make the road safe and it the driver’s responsibility to make sure that they are well educated and adhere to all the rules. Besides drivers, everyone should be responsible for their safety on the road and this include wearing the seatbelt, not distracting the driver and crossing the road at designated points.

Black and white as it may seem, not everyone considers the importance of being a well-educated driver so that everyone is safe. When I was 14 years old, I had a cousin brother who was good in video games and had somehow acquired the practical skill of driving but was not educated on the does and don’ts of a safe driver. The parents were out of town and he decided to take their car for a spin and we all hoped into the car. There were 8 of us in a 5 seater car and there was no one with a seatbelt. Wanting to experience the thrill, my cousin brother headed for the freeway where he could speed but due to lack of knowledge, he ended up speeding in the slow lane and bumped into a car. Three people were thrown out of the car resulting in one of my cousins sustain a spinal cord injury and a man in the car that was hit from behind lost his life. Both cars were wrecked beyond damage and that was a huge eye opener for me. If only he was an educated a lot could have been avoided that day. The best way to be a safe driver is to be a legal driver and the only way one can be a legal driver through passing the tests that educates one on how to be a safe driver. One should also read around and keep abreast with any new road rules or warnings that may be put out.