In the Driver’s Seat

Zoie Springer

In the Driver’s Seat

Teens that have taken Drivers Education are safer on the roads and are involved in fewer car crashes than people who have not. Young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident. A new study shows that over 150,000 teen drivers over eight years has found that driver’s education significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers. Drivers Ed courses teach valuable road skills, knowledge of the law, and establish the foundation for life-long skills. Taking Driver’s Ed allows you to practice driving on the road with a clear understanding of the rules and safety measures ahead of time, rather than learning them on the go. For example, drivers learn how to safely operate a vehicle on busy interstates at night, and during other dangerous driving circumstances, and to develop basic vehicle control and traffic maneuvers.

There are simple steps that can be taken to reduce your risks. The key points are to obey traffic laws, drive in defense, avoid distractions, drive rested, and steer clear of alcohol and drugs. Most importantly, do not text and drive. Of all of the activities associated with distracted driving, texting is the most dangerous. A person is 23 times more likely to have a motor vehicle crash while sending a text message than while driving and 1.6 million crashes are caused from texting and driving each year. Make sure your blinkers and lights are working properly, your wipers are working, your airbags are on, your breaks work, and your tires are properly inflated. The better prepared you are, the more confidence, safety, and alertness you will have.

Although I have never personally been in an accident, multiple peers of mine have passed away from unsafe driving. Not only this, but I, firsthand have seen my friends practice unsafe driving skills. Annaleigh Escobar, a senior at Dyer County High School, passed away one early morning on her way to school. She was a bright, beautiful soul that cheered everyone up on their darkest days. She was texting (snapchatting) and driving. She looked down at her phone, took a selfie, and swerved into the other lane where she was struck by an oncoming car. It happens more than you think.

No one likes to admit they could use some improvement behind the wheel. But the fact is, accidents happen and they happen a lot. While you can’t control many of the risks on the road, you can set yourself up to be as safe as possible. Think back to when you first learned how to drive. An adult in your life probably told you that driving is a responsibility and a privilege, and though your daily commute may not exactly sound like a privilege, you still definitely have a responsibility to be safe on the road. Whether you’re an experienced driver or you’ve just finished driver’s ed class, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to driving. Personally, you can take Driver Education classes, park with precision, keep your hands on the wheel in all proper positions, adjust your mirrors to cover blind spots, learn how to merge into traffic, handle tough driving conditions, and finally, practice.