Lives Depend on it: Drivers Ed

There he or she is, at an intersection, waiting for the left-hand turn signal to turn green. The light changes eventually, and as the driver begins their turn, another driver on the road intersecting theirs speeds through their light, not seeing turn traffic, resulting in a devastating driver-side collision. We see this far too often. The authorities come by and cordon off the area and take the unfortunate drivers and passengers to the hospital. Questions emerge from onlookers from their cars: Did that one guy just try to run the light? Was someone on their phone? How could this have been prevented? Fortunately, the final question has a definite, data-driven answer: drivers ed.

Drivers ed is an essential tool that informs drivers, both young and old, of state regulations and general courtesies one should practice while driving. These programs save lives. According to a study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, young people who have not completed a drivers ed course are 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal vehicular crash. Comprehensive, formal drivers ed should not an optional course to take. It addresses a very real and very serious need.

What can we do to reduce the carnage we see of fatal accidents on our roadways? One first step is formalizing our requirements for drivers ed and making them uniform from state to state. Many states have opt-out clauses where if a driver has enough experience behind the wheel, they can forgo classes. This needs to stop. There is no substitute for classroom instruction from a certified instructor. If we do this, we can send a strong message as a nation to our drivers that we are serious about ending disastrous car crashes.

I am vigilant in this matter because of a friend of mine who was involved in a serious car accident. It was almost as described beforehand: her father had run a light, speeding, and didn’t see turn traffic moving. The father suffered several broken bones and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. The mother bashed her head against the windshield and was in the hospital for weeks as the doctors continued to try and pull shards of glass out of her skull. And my friend—the most innocent one in all of this—broke three of her ribs and lost two teeth. This episode shook me. It taught me that when I get into a vehicle, I do not just drive for myself. There are other innocent people on the road that are counting on me to make correct, safe driving choices.

In ending, what can I do to be a safer driver? The answers are startingly simple. I will leave my house on time, so I never feel the need to rush, speed, or run lights. I will be courteous, knowing that as drivers, we need to share the road with everyone. Finally, and most importantly, I will remember what I learned in Drivers Ed. Lives depend on it.