The Importance of Driver’s Education

The Importance of Driver’s Education

By Steven Chernets

Imagine, your teenage son or daughter just got their first car. They’re speeding on the road one day when BAM! Suddenly, out of the corner of their eye, they see the headlights of a three-ton death machine slamming into them at 45 miles per hour. Upon impact, their head slams into the car door window with enough force to permanently alter their lives in a split second. The worst part of it is that this all could have been prevented had they seen the stop sign and drove at the speed limit. Creating an environment where it is acceptable to drive the speed limit, obey all applicable laws, and get from one place to another safely is needed. Driver’s education is the road that will take us there. 

According to the Center for Diseases Control (CDC), “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) estimates that “eight percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2017 were 15 to 20 years old.” Based on a 2015 study in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, teenage drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75% more likely to get a traffic ticket and 24% more likely to be involved in a serious, sometimes fatal accident. However, the good news is that these accidents are preventable. Driver’s education helped one cohort in the study reduce the number of accidents from 12.9% to 11.1%. Statistics by the NHTSA indicates that driver errors involving steering techniques are the main cause of crashes. By teaching teens about proper steering methods, like the “nine-and-three” technique, we can prevent hundreds of fatal accidents every year. A 2016 study showed that, in addition to steering, not wearing a seatbelt accounts for 58% of all passenger fatalities of 15 to 18-year-old drivers. Drivers who were alert, attentive and cautious while on the road were least likely to get into a serious accident. Because driver’s education classes teach students which laws they need to follow and the safe driving habits they need to develop, these classes can drastically reduce the number of deaths. This education is most needed within the first 2 years of driving (when teenage drivers are most at risk). 

Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence that can be mitigated or decreased by simple means. Based on research conducted by the NHTSA, the most common culprits of car accidents are: driving while intoxicated, driving while texting, being distracted while on the road, and improper steering techniques. By making sure to follow some basic safe-driving guidelines, such as not driving after drinking alcohol or taking pharmaceuticals, wearing a seatbelt, and avoiding texting while on the road, teen drivers can substantially reduce the risk of a collision. Having a clear understanding of the law, traffic signs, as well as the proper way to operate a vehicle can also go a long way. Luckily, driver’s education allows teenagers to learn about all of these and can make them safer, more responsible drivers.