The Importance of Driver Education

Driving is not a right, but a privilege that requires the utmost attention from those who decide to utilize it. Those who choose not to properly educate themselves on the possible consequences that come with such a large responsibility, or who do not have easy access to this information, choose to put their lives and others on the road at risk.

When I was five, my mom parked our minivan at the outside of a driveway, with me sitting in the backseat with my friends. A man turning out of the driveway struck the rear quarter panel and headlight of the car right where I was sitting, shaking the entire car and the window above my head. The man drove away, completely unaware he had even hit us. I cried uncontrollably that day, shaken up by what had happened. When he was later confronted, he claimed that he hadn’t even seen us because he wasn’t paying attention.

Knowing the main causes for driving fatalities plays a big factor in preventing them. The single biggest cause of fatal car accidents is distracted driving. To pledge to be a safer driver, everyone behind the wheel should attempt to minimize as many distractions as possible by turning off their phone when they drive, ignoring text messages and phone calls, lowering the volume of their music, driving at slower speeds, and keeping their eyes focused on the road instead of passengers in the vehicle. Many teenagers dream of blasting music and singing with their friends in the car like they see in movies, but that is such a common misconception, especially for new drivers. Driving at slower speeds, which allows for a faster reaction time, as well as paying attention to the road and anticipating the movements of others, allows drivers to predict accidents before they happen.

Many people begin driving around the ages of 15 and 16, when they are teenagers. Every state should be required to provide free drivers’ education to their students before they take their written exam, ensuring that all students have access to the same drivers’ education, especially for those who cannot afford to pay for these classes outside of school. I also believe it is important that every new driver take lessons from an accredited driving school. Driving school instructors are professionally trained in specific ways to teach their students, so learners do not pick up bad habits from experienced drivers or feel the pressure of learning from a family member/relative. I also believe it is important to regularly review the road laws as you continue to drive, as it is very easy to forget the fundamental rules when driving becomes habitual.

In my personal attempts to become a safer driver, as well as better those around me, I try to educate as many people as I can about the dangers of distracted driving, and how important it is to practice defensive driving.