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Driver Education Initiative – Importance of Education

Name: Abigail K Smith
From: Anchorage, ALASKA
Votes: 0

While
driving is one of the most popular ways of commuting, it is one of
the most dangerous. According to Association for Safe
International Road Travel (ASIRT)
, “Nearly
1.25 million people die in road crashes each year. An additional
20-50 million are injured or disabled
.”
By providing a more thorough education on the importance of
safe driving, we could greatly reduce the number of accidents that
occur each year. Education classes provide information on how to be
safer on the roads with options for reducing distractions and
avoiding potentially dangerous situations.

The
more knowledge one has, the better prepared they can be for possible
scenarios that may arise. Now more than ever, those who get behind
the wheel, especially new drivers, can be easily distracted by cell
phones, music or friends in the vehicle. All it takes is half of a
second for an accident to occur, even if it is not you who is at
fault. Having the knowledge and focus to react to unfolding
situations is a crucial component for safe driving.

In
my home State of Alaska, there is currently no mandated driver
education classes needed to obtain a driver’s license. Driving in
Alaska presents many difficult challenges that drivers have to
overcome. From extreme weather conditions, large wildlife and narrow
roads, Alaskan roadways can be unforgiving. Requiring formal driver’s
education classes could help prepare new drivers for the demands that
they will regularly encounter driving in Alaska. Such classes provide
simulations on how to better react to challenging road conditions,
such as snow, ice and wildlife. They also demonstrate how lives can
be drastically changed in a moment’s notice with a lapse in
concentration or judgment.

My
family has encountered a personal experience that involved such
hazardous driving conditions. My grandmother was commuting home from
work during the dark evening hours that occur in the wintertime. The
road conditions were icy and snow packed, making stopping suddenly
nearly impossible. As she crested the top of a curving hill, there
was a large moose that was standing in the middle of the highway.
Unable to stop or maneuver around the moose, she forcefully collided
with it, resulting in the death of the moose and the destruction of
her car. Her life was spared due to the fact that her airbags
deployed and she was wearing her seatbelt. She was taken to the
hospital via ambulance, but because of these lifesaving, preventive
measures, she was quickly sent home with just a few minor injuries.

Along
with formal drivers ed classes, there are steps that we can
all take to help ensure the safety of ourselves and others on the
road. Be aware of your surroundings and use proper signaling while
driving. Limit potential distractions, such as putting away cell
phones or turning down loud music. Always wear seatbelts, as it is a
crucial component in saving lives. If these simple guidelines are
followed, it is sure to reduce the number of car accidents and deaths
each year.