Why Driver Education is Important

Sydney Lanier

Driver Education Essay Contest

20 November 2020

Why Driver Education is Important

Driver education is extremely important in our world today in preventing driving deaths. The more people that are educated in how to properly and safely drive, the more lives will be saved. It is crucial to know and understand how to safely work a vehicle so that accidents are prevented. If one does not know how their vehicle operates it could result in an accident. Routinely checking one’s vehicle for any changes could also be important to save their life. An important thing to check for in the vehicle would be any new flashing lights, headlights, tires, and signal blinkers. Driver education also teaches about the rules of the road. Knowing how to read signs and understanding what they mean is very important while driving. If one does not know how to read signs this could cause an accident.

There are quite a few steps that can be taken to prevent deaths while driving. The main step is to follow the speed limit. If someone is driving too fast they could seriously injure someone or themselves. It is an important reminder that speed kills. According to a study done in 2017 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration speeding counts for 26% of traffic fatalities. It is important to not text while driving. Too many people are glued to their phones while they are driving, and this has caused many accidents. In 2018 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 2,841 deaths have been caused by distracted driving. Alcohol is another fatal element that results in traffic accidents every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported 10,511 deaths from drunk driving accidents in the year 2018. Drivers who speed, text, and drive drunk kill many innocent people every year. It is important to have the public acknowledge these numbers and spread awareness. In driver education students learn the effects of speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving. However, sometimes this may not be enough for some individuals. Driver safety awareness should become a monthly thing to promote safe driving.

I personally have been in a car accident. I was driving home one evening after dropping off my cousin at the eye doctor and a man pulled out in front of me. He went past the line at his stoplight, which was red, and I could not slow down fast enough to prevent the accident. My car was damaged at the front bumper and the hood. It is one of the scariest things I have experienced. The accident has made me become more cautious and aware of other people while I am driving. I even slow down below the speed limit before I reach a stoplight due to that accident. I have taken many steps to become a better and safer driver. The steps I have taken are following the speed limit, being cautious of other drivers, and keeping my phone in a special spot while I am driving. Due to the accident, I have become even more aware of the other drivers around me. I am always paying attention to the road and the cars around me in case they are in my lane or pulling out in front of me. I drive the speed limit and pay attention to the signs to prevent getting into an accident. I do not want to harm anyone or myself by being irresponsible on the road. While I am driving I keep my phone in my car’s built-in phone compartment so that I do not touch it while driving. My personal car accident experience along with driver education has taught me how to become a better and safer driver.