A Little Refresher

In an article written by Amaro Law Firm, it states, “And that works out to roughly: 19,973 crashes every day”. Almost 20,000 lives are put in jeopardy everyday simply due to irresponsible use of motor vehicles. With this many lives being at risk daily, it is clear that there is a drastic lack of driver education. It is also clear that driver education is extremely important if we want to decrease the number of driving related deaths. It is so vital that drivers are continuously being educated on the every day task of driving. Although getting behind the wheel becomes second nature to most; operating a motor vehicle is never something that should be handled lightly. We all value our lives and the lives of our loved ones around us. So why not take the time to realize the importance of driver education?

In the United States, most drivers are actively educated about safe driving around the ages of 14 to 16. The slim amount of education provided in driver’s ed classes are simply not enough. In my opinion, a completed session of driver’s ed is not realistically teaching “safe driving”. Students are merely learning what road signs mean and how to merge from lane to lane. If driver’s ed was implemented for drivers of all ages, and for more than once in a lifetime, I believe safe driving would become a trend everyone would be more than willing to take part in. A little refresher can never hurt. As time changes, so do cars, roads, highway exits, and so much more. Being continuously educated on all of the changes that go on would greatly help prevent car related deaths. Reinforcing the importance of safe driving will do more for a driver than seeing an unfortunate story of yet another life lost due to reckless driving in the news. Free mandatory yearly driver’s ed “refresher” classes is a perfect way to go about making a change. Starting petitions for state governor’s to put into action mandatory driver’s ed “refresher” classes is where we can start. It always takes long for change to happen; but the amount of time it takes will be worth all the lives saved from reckless driving.

In May of 2022, my friend and I got into a scary car accident. While turning down twisty dark roads, everything seemed normal until it was not. My car collided into a large tree around 1:30 a.m. We were traveling at about forty miles per hour. This event was nothing short of traumatic and still gives me goosebumps today. The main thing that bothers me the most about the accident, is that it could have easily been prevented and avoided. If my friend and I were actively being smart and responsible drivers and used our driver’s education; we could have easily avoided the accident completely. Driving a motor vehicle at night with no lights on is a recipe for disaster; and my friend and I unfortunately mastered the recipe. Instead of being aware and proactive, my friend and I weren’t responsible. It is easy to get distracted and miss important steps in safe driving. If we just took a few seconds to be sure that the lights were on, like any driving educated person would have, we would not have had such a scary night. I would not want to relive that night ever again.

To ensure that I don’t have to be a victim of irresponsible driving again, I will be sure to actively use driving education. I will be sure to take a few extra seconds to check all my safety boxes before operating my motor vehicle. While on the road, I will be aware of my surroundings at all times. Safe driving is a joint effort. You must be aware of your actions as a driver but also aware of the actions of the other drivers you’re sharing the road with. It is everyone’s hope to be safe while driving, and this hope can be fulfilled if all driver’s practiced safe driving. On the other hand, in order to help those around me be safer drivers, I will make it my job to remind them that they must always use their driver’s education. A few friendly reminders here and there will never hurt. We must hold ourselves and others accountable! With the mix of accountability, driver’s ed “refresher” classes, and taking a few seconds to ensure safety; the goal of having less driving related deaths is very achievable.