The Importance of Driving

Nicholas Karas

Driver’s Ed Initiative Award

dmvedu.org

13 March 2021

The Importance of Driving

Driver’s Education is a program offered in High Schools across the U.S. Some states require students to take the program before they can take the written and driving exam. The program introduces teens to the basics of how a car works, how to start, how to focus/keep a sharp eye for things, etc. But over time, teens start to learn how to drive with certain obstacles in the way (Pedestrians, Road Signs, and/or other cars). For example, Illinois, California, Maine, and Michigan require teens to take the driver’s ed program before taking the driver’s test. In the state of California, the Driver’s Ed Program is offered at public/private schools and they require teens who are under 18, must take the Driver’s Ed and the Behind the Wheel Training in order to take the State Certified Driver’s Exam.

Each year many teens and adults die because of a car crash. Maybe they died because they were speeding, drinking, or the other driver wasn’t paying attention. Any of these options could’ve happened. It’s important to take the Driver’s Ed program because it’ll teach teens how to drive safely and responsibly. It’ll take time, but overtime, teens will start to realize how dangerous driving can be if they’re not careful. The steps that teens can do to reduce the number of deaths can be:

1. Be aware of your surroundings

2. Don’t drink and drive

3. Wear seatbelts

4. Obey the Law

5. Avoid Distractions

These steps can help teens with driving safely and responsibly because if they’re not aware of these situations, then their driving skills can become sloppy and it can result in death. For example, if a teen were texting, what would happen? Basically, if we look more closely at the question, that could be me, you, your friend, your mother, or someone you know or love. This is a perfect example of why teens need to know why it’s dangerous to do other “tasks” while driving because they think that they could accomplish it while doing something else. Yes, it’s ok to multi-task, but in the end, it’s dangerous if you’re doing something else while driving. Let’s look at another example: Drinking. Especially if they’re driving. If teens are drinking and driving, then might as well say goodbye to their wonderful life because they blew it while drinking. Let’s imagine a teen driving at night with high traffic, what do you think will happen? Will they be able to dodge other cars? Will they crash? If they crash, will they die or get seriously injured and still live?

Having an experience of a car crash or serious car damage, it’s horrifying because it may be someone you love who’s hurt or resulted in death. I, myself, have not experienced being in a car crash, but I’ve had a couple surprises while driving, but it didn’t result in a crash. It was scary because a million things were going through my head like; Should I stop? Should I keep going? What should I do?? But I didn’t crash. But my dad and my brother were in a car crash. My brother was not hurt at all because he was in his car seat, but my dad hurt his fingers on his left hand badly. It was scary hearing the story because what if they got hurt badly or they died from it?

Steps that I can follow to ensure my safety and responsibility while driving is:

1. Avoid Distractions

2. Focus on the Road (Nothing else)

3. Obey the Law(s)

4. Stay Positive of the actions I use

These are some of many steps I can use while driving; if I didn’t, then I might as well just say bye-bye because I didn’t follow a rule and/or a step to ensure my safety. I want to be safe, I want to show my responsibility, I want to show maturity, I want to be successful at driving! Growing up I’ve always wanted to drive, but when I started, I was really scared because I wasn’t sure how I’d do. So, after practicing more and more, I’m starting to handle driving! I’m happy that I’m driving, I’m safe that I’m following the rules and steps, I’m accepting of what I drive and what’s around me when I drive. When I drive, I’m accepting new challenges, and when new challenges come my way, I’ll be ready to accept it!