The Importance of Drivers ed and Awareness

Serenity Lee

29 July 2020

Drivers ed Initiative Award Essay

The importance of Drivers ed and Awareness

Drivers ed comes with many benefits as well as creating awareness to new drivers, especially teens. Though drivers ed is usually aimed toward young teens, it is important that all ages get to know and learn about drivers ed as well. I believe that drivers ed plays a big role in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. I say this because you are able to gain knowledge and learn about real life stories along with gaining the reality of what driving is/will be like once you are on your own. Not only that, but Drivers ed teaches people right from wrong and all the details you will need in order to be a safe and reliable driver. That is how the number of deaths from driving will be decreased.

There are many essential steps that will need to be done or taken into consideration in order to reduce the number of deaths in relation to driving. For instance, making sure to always be aware of your surroundings and always be on the lookout so you don’t crash or so others won’t crash into you. In addition to that, driving while impaired (usage of drugs or alcohol) can result in jail time, deathly crashes, and/or killing yourself and/or others. Making sure to never get behind the wheel when you are not in the right state of mind is very important. Lastly, some other basic but important steps are to use the appropriate car signals or buttons at the appropriate time, do not speed even if you are running late or need to get somewhere, be aware of how to drive safely in certain weather conditions, always watch for pedestrians, and most importantly always wear your seatbelt.

I have been involved in two car accidents before, nothing life threatening or too serious, but it was still scary and devastating to be apart of. Both of these accidents resulted in being rear ended and the people who hit us were texting. One was when my family and I were on our way to a family outing, we came to a stop at a stop light and the woman right behind us hit the back of our car because was texting and wasn’t aware we had come to a complete stop. The second incident was on my first day of fifth grade, I was on the bus and we had come to a stop sign, the woman rear ended our bus because she was on her phone texting. These two accidents resulted in me never using my phone while behind the wheel and reminding me that a phone call or a text can wait.

My family and I are big on being safe drivers and always taking precautions. I would say that the most important steps I can take to be a better and safer driver is just being more aware of my surroundings while driving and not being impatient. I can help others become safer on the roads by being a good driving example and role model as well as educating them about the importance of drivers ed.