Driving Into A Safer future

Rebecca Segura

January 17, 2021

Driving Into A Safer Future

Driver’s education classes focus on teaching teens the rules of the road. This includes how to safely operate a vehicle, defensive driving, the meanings of signs and signals, and much more. Many parents question whether or not to enroll their child due to the steep cost. However, no cost is too expensive for their child’s safety. According to an article titled “Concerned About Teen Driver Safety? Driver’s Ed Reduces Crash Risk,” crashes were reduced by 4.3%, and convictions by nearly 40% when associated with driver’s education. They also state that teens who took driver education classes retained more knowledge long- term than those who didn’t.

 

         Similarly, newsroom.uni.edu published a study titled, “Driver’s Ed significantly reduces teen crashes, tickets,” that claimed that young drivers who did not take driver’s education classes are 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. Researchers Duane Shell and Ian Newman state that teen crashes and fatality rates are the highest between the ages 16-18. This means that teens need as much education and practice that they can get before driving alone. It is irresponsible to allow young drivers on the road if they have very little knowledge of what they are doing.

        

I remember the day I got my permit. I had no idea what I was doing. My mom slowly allowed me to drive for longer periods of time as I got better. When I took my driver’s education class and “behind the wheel” lessons, I felt much more confident. Not only did I feel safer operating a car, but I didn’t have to think as much about the rules of the road because by then it came naturally. Driver’s Ed isn’t just about forcing teens to learn about countless rules, it’s a way for them to feel confident and safe behind the wheel.

 

It is very important for teens to take Driver’s Ed. Statistics link driver’s education classes to fewer accidents. Not only should teens take these classes, they should be aware of real life situations and how to handle them. For example, while underage drinking is illegal, many teens across the nation still do it. According to talkitoutnc.org, in an article titled, “Teenage Drunk Drivers: Don’t Let Your Teen Become A Statistic,” approximately 1,848 fatal crashes were a result of teen drinking in 2017. It’s no secret that drinking and driving is dangerous, so why do teens still do it? Most people don’t think anything bad will actually happen to them. They don’t understand the full extent of how deadly alcohol can be. Alcohol impairs decision making. A drunk teen at a party might think that they are okay to drive, even if they are not. Understanding real life dangers is crucial to lowering the number of deaths related to driving.

Another huge danger is texting and driving. Edgarsnyder.com published a report called, “Texting and Driving Accident Statistics,” that lists some of the shocking facts about distracted driving. According to this article, “21% of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones.” Similar to drinking and driving, teens acknowledge the fact that it is dangerous. According to an AAA poll, “94% of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35% admitted to doing it anyway.” This clearly shows that knowing it is dangerous is not enough. Teens need to understand the real risk in order to prevent more accidents from happening. Schools and driver’s education classes should be more thorough when it comes to addressing issues such as the ones previously mentioned.

I have never been in a car accident, but I’ve come close. When I was 16, I was driving alone to a water polo game. I didn’t want to be late so I was driving fast. The lane I was in was empty, except for me of course. The one next to me, however, was stopped bumper to bumper at a red light. As I was speeding down my lane, a car in the lane next to me pulled out into my lane. Since they weren’t already moving, it wasn’t a smooth merge. They pulled out halfway and stopped. I immediately slammed on my breaks and braced myself and my car skid closer and closer to the one stopped in front of me. Luckily, my car stopped inches away. I was terrified. Had I been distracted or not driving defensively, I would have gotten into an accident that day.

 

Unlike me, my best friend has gotten into an accident before. It was a Friday afternoon right after school. I told my friend I would meet her at her house after she picked up her sisters. I got to her house and ran up the stairs, only to be greeted by her mom who didn’t look too happy. She informed me that my friend had rear ended another car. When I talked to her about it later, she admitted that she had been distracted by her sisters while she was driving. Luckily no one was hurt, but that situation could have ended badly. It made me realize just how dangerous driving really is. People need to be careful and take precautions in order to prevent accidents like that from happening.

 

To be a better driver I should pay attention to my surroundings more. I tend to zone out sometimes and don’t always see pedestrians or the car that’s about to merge into my lane. I need to be conscious of the fact that when I drive, I’m not only responsible for my safety, but the safety of those around me. This includes passengers, pedestrians, and fellow drivers. A couple seconds of being distracted can have detrimental effects on multiple lives. It’s never worth it. To help others become safer on the road I will do my part to follow the rules and use common sense when behind the wheel. If I’m with friends, I’ll remind them to stay focused on their surroundings and to not drive distracted. If I see that someone is under the influence, I’ll make sure they find a ride home. Everyone needs to be held accountable for the safety of others on the road. 

Works Cited

“Teenage Drunk Drivers: Don’t Let Teens Become Statistics: Talk It Out NC.” Talk It Out, 31 Jan. 2020, www.talkitoutnc.org/teenage-drinking/teenage-drunk-drivers/#:~:text=According to the National Highway,result of teenage drunk drivers.

“Texting and Driving Accident Statistics – Distracted Driving.” Edgarsnyder.com, 8 Aug. 2019, www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html#:~:text=263 teens (age 15 to,devices while behind the wheel.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Web Developer Network. “Study: Driver’s Ed Significantly Reduces Teen Crashes, Tickets.” Study: Driver’s Ed Significantly Reduces Teen Crashes, Tickets | News Releases | University of Nebraska-Lincoln, newsroom.unl.edu/releases/2015/08/13/Study: Driver’s ed significantly reduces teen crashes, tickets.