Steering in the Right Direction

Steering in the Right Direction

Turning 16 is perhaps one of the most monumental occurrences in a teenager’s life. Not only are you a year older, but you are of age to obtain a driver’s license. Most young adults fail to realize that driving isn’t simply a rite of passage. Before operating a motor vehicle, it is important that one fully comprehends the dangers associated with automobiles. For that reason, the law requires a driver’s education course to be completed before 16-year-olds are able to obtain a Class D license. These driver’s education courses must be approved by the Department of Driver Services. Those who do not wish to partake in a driver’s ed course have the option of waiting until they turn 18 years old to obtain their license, but driver’s education courses are very important when preparing to operate a motor vehicle.

Operating a vehicle is oftentimes very intimidating for teenagers. Completing a driver’s education course prior to obtaining one’s license will help teenagers develop rudimentary vehicle control and traffic maneuvers. It teaches students how to safely operate a vehicle on busy interstates, at night, and during other dangerous driving circumstances. Although it may seem unimportant, driver’s education stresses the importance of adjusting a vehicle’s steering wheel, seat, and rear and side-view mirrors. It also allows for teens to practice communicating while driving, entering and exiting traffic, using turn lanes, changing lanes, and adjusting their vehicles’ speeds when necessary. In addition to practicing driving, teenagers learn about various traffic signals and markings on the roadway. Perhaps the most important skill to develop as a driver is the ability to foresee hazards and unsafe situations. Other drivers and conditions are oftentimes much more dangerous than your own driving ability, but many young drivers are not experienced enough to identify potential dangers from other drivers.

If making roads safer is not enough incentive for parents to require their teenagers to comprehend what is taught in driver’s ed courses, perhaps saving money is. Most automobile insurance carriers offer discounts for drivers that have completed driver’s education courses, as well as good driver discounts to reward safe drivers.

We know, thanks to numerous studies, that drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 are among those most likely to be involved in a car crash. It stands to reason that taking a driver’s education course would help to swing the odds in favor of young drivers. Not only does a good driver’s ed course thoroughly cover each state’s traffic laws, it actually helps new drivers learn the skills that are essential to the safe operation of a car – skills that may help a driver maneuver his or her way out of an accident. Think of it this way – let’s say you want to learn how to ski. Who’s more likely to teach you the things that’ll help you avoid wrapping yourself around a tree – your buddy, or a trained professional instructor with years of experience?

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. You can anticipate the steps needed to arrive safely at your destination, as well as keeping in mind the guidelines for doing so, and in turn will feel more confident. Confidence in your driving abilities allows you to comfortably and naturally respond more effectively in difficult driving situations, and as a result, become a safer driver.