In the driver’s seat: Drivers Ed Essay

Driver education can help to reduce deaths by teaching a person to operate a vehicle using safe driving practices that will help keep not only themselves safe, but also the people around them. Skills I learned in driver ed. helped me to avoid many situations that could have been potentially dangerous. Driver education is not only for drivers in high school or under the age of 18. In fact, I took driver’s education around age 23 and didn’t get my license until age 25 because I did not feel comfortable taking on the responsibility of driving. It is important that this education is offered to teens and young adults especially because of the high mortality rate due to car accidents of high school aged drivers. This education could potentially save your life.

In my driver’s education class, we talked about the importance of safe driving practices. Safe driving practices are procedures like using a signal, being aware of your surroundings, checking your blind spot and mirrors, slowing down in bad weather or when going around sharp corners or when driving at night. It allowed me to know where a safe following distance was, other rules of the road, and even some basic car maintenance. We also discussed unsafe driving because part of knowing how to drive is knowing what not to do. To be an experienced, safe and defensive driver takes time, practice. I think drivers education classes really helped me to gain comprehensive knowledge to understand all the steps in order to feel comfortable, aware, and cautious behind the wheel.

I have been in a few car accidents, some of them as a passenger and some as a driver, luckily none of the accidents were serious. Recently however, I lost a close family member who died in the hospital from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident. The accident happened on a highway, and we don’t know the specifics of what happened, other than he was probably run off the road by someone who didn’t see him. He was an experienced and responsible motorcycle driver and was wearing a helmet, and he had protective gear, it still wasn’t enough. My family has felt this unexpected loss for the last 3 years and my mom has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of this accident, from losing a loved one, gone too soon. Losing someone in an accident reshapes how you think not only of driving, but of life. It took a while for my mom to be comfortable on the road again, without having a panic attack.

I have seen so much distraction behind the wheel in my few years driving. I have seen people who answer the phones or text, in NH, a hands-free state for devices, while driving. I have seen girls apply makeup while driving, carelessly swerving in their lane, almost causing an accident at several different times due to their frequent poorly timed breaking. I have seen people speed 90+ MPH, weaving in and of densely packed lanes on the highway. I have seen drivers with road rage cause an accident by using lanes designated for turning to cut in front of traffic and then slam on their brakes at the red-light moments ahead of them. It is a scary world we live in, and all we can do is be as prepared and safe as we can be, armed with our knowledge to navigate a world that is ever changing.

To help others drive safer, you can encourage people who are new to driving to participate in driver’s education and follow safe driving practices. You can answer any questions that they may have, and don’t make fun of them for not knowing. Offer up a simple “drive safe” to a friend on their way out the door. Stress the importance of not answering or talking on the phone or texting while driving and reducing distractions as much as possible. You can drive safely by following safe driving procedures, including; wearing your seatbelt, or helmet if you are riding a motorcycle, have proper car seats for babies and children, check your mirrors and blind spots when merging or turning, slow down when you take turns or when you drive in bad weather or in the dark. Have an emergency kit with a first aid kit, blanket, and water in your car. Make sure to read and obey street signs and rules of the road, always. Taking a defensive driving course can also help you to build your knowledge and provides more in-depth information on safe driving practices.

Any time you are behind the wheel you are taking on a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It is imperative that you pay attention and minimize distractions while driving and to not drive passively but defensively, it could save your life. It is important to feel comfortable operating your vehicle because it is your responsibility to keep the occupants you are transporting inside the vehicle and the people outside the vehicle safe.