Driver Education

People today don’t realize how important it is to properly drive in today’s society due to improper teachings or the new generation simply not wanting to learn. Many people text, call, eat, and drink while driving. What they don’t know is that in the next ten seconds, they could be in a fatal car accident, all due to their wants instead of paying attention to their needs. Citizens who want to earn their driver’s license have to know the rules of the road and how to avoid an accident that’s waiting to happen.

The importance of driver education is to reduce anxiety when a first-time teen gets behind the wheel. Driver education also reduces deadly accidents by teaching teens different ways like defensive driving, car maintenance, or to simply give them the confidence they need in order to take the wheel. You can find many driver education programs that are offered by local schools, government programs, some companies, and private instructors. Young teens who don’t participate in drivers ed are 24 percent are likely to be involved in an injury or an accident. Studies show that teens who took a drivers ed class lowered the risk of getting in a crash by 4.3 percent and receiving a traffic ticket by 40 percent. Studies also say that due to an eight-year study over 150,000 teen drivers only 11.1 percent of those took part in drivers ed were in a car accident. I believe that with more driver ed programs, we can lead new generations to new places, and allow our citizens to become conscientious, careful drivers.

I am a high school senior about to graduate, and I remember when just last year I had a minor car accident. I just got my license about two weeks prior to the accident, so I was pulling out of the gas station, and this truck was parked next to me. And you’re probably thinking, “did she really just hit a parked car?” yes. I did. I was in a bit of a rush, so I wasn’t paying attention when I had my steering wheel turned. So, I backed out and BAM. I was scared out of my mind. I thought, “oh no, oh no, oh no. what do I do?!” so I calmly waited for the owner of the truck to come outside and I apologized even though all I did was scuff his tire. But MY car was worse. I ended up ripping off my bumper. I got home and my parents were pretty upset at me and I understand that, but what I didn’t understand at that time was, “would I have not hit that truck if I had taken drivers ed?” If I had taken drivers ed I believe that I would have payed more attention, and I would have realized my steering wheel was turned. If I took drivers ed, I wouldn’t have hit that man’s truck.

When I think about what I could do to become a better driver, I think about being more focused, more careful, and most importantly, pay attention to others around me. You never know when someone could hit you or when your car blows a tire. And As part of training, many driver’s education instructors now teach students about the basic mechanics of their cars. Some of the common skills developed include changing a tire, checking oil levels, replacing windshield washer fluid and changing air filters. Some courses also help students locate standard components, such as the oil pan and radiator.

Each state sets its own laws around driver’s education programs, making it essential for teens and parents alike to ensure they understand the latest requirements. Some states may waive this requirement for first-time drivers over 18, while others keep it in place regardless of age. Some allow student drivers to complete an online driver’s education program, while others require an in-person component. You can check with your state’s department of motor vehicles for any question that may pop up as well. Regardless of whether your state requires driver’s education, think strongly about getting your teen or yourself to participate in it anyway. Driver’s education courses instill essential skills and knowledge: car maintenance, confidence, defensive driving techniques and the rules of the road. As a new driver myself, each of these plays a vital role in preparing me for getting behind the wheel of a car. And that there’s always an opportunity for you too.