Drivers Ed: My Experience as a Dutch American

As I read these questions in relation to driving, education, and steps to reduce the waste of life driving accidents cause. I’m reminded of my own upbringing and driving experience. I’m a Dutch American. I spent most of my life in The Netherlands where you hear less about teen driving deaths and accidents on the road. In Europe, the driving age is 18. You can start studying and practicing for your driver’s test at 17. You’re not able to take the driving exam until you’ve turned 18. This comes after many hours behind the wheel with a licensed instructor. As well as a very strict driving exam which most people don’t pass in their first or even second attempt. Just to get your license takes around $1500-$2000. This is for lessons and the final exam. Now you ask why a $500 difference? Every time you sign in to take the exam, pass or fail you are charged $150. I have some friends who needed to take the exam 3-4x before finally passing. That also means extra time with your driving instructor which also adds up. So, the culture you see in the US vs. Europe puts more emphasis on ensuring a driver is 100% ready for the road before getting your license.

I was 18 when I moved to the US so didn’t have the opportunity to take a strict driving course like the one my sister took back in The Netherlands. In the US, I could just show up at the DMV, take the written test, then my driving test a few days later, and be on my way with no prior driving experience. It was only because my parents pushed me and paid for it, that I decided to take a full-on driver’s education course. It was not to the level of what you find in Europe. My parents instilled in me that it’s critical to learn and have a strong foundation of driving education before getting behind the wheel.

Even though I thought I could drive, by passing a few online practice tests and spending some time driving around an empty parking lot. I truly had no idea what it honestly meant to be a responsible driver out on the road. Not until I was seated behind the wheel with my driving instructor beside me. I was so nervous and unsure of what to do. How would I manage the traffic inputs around me while following the directions of the instructor? At that point, I was so thankful my parents had insisted that I first take driver’s education before I went for my license. Those few weeks of one-on-one learning with an instructor helped build my confidence. It increased my understanding of what to expect as a drive.

I would say it should be mandatory to show proof of driver’s education before you can get your license. I know it’s required for those under 18, but it shouldn’t matter what age you are. To reduce the number of deaths on the road, this is the first step needed. To ensure drivers are up to the necessary level to manage a vehicle. Another would be to raise the age limit. I know in a country like the US that will be very difficult due to the space and limited public transportation. A more rigorous testing policy would also improve the quality of drivers on the road.

I personally have not been affected by a car accident in my immediate family. My parents have always instilled in my sister and me that we need to be responsible. Never use our phones while driving, never drink and drive, never get in a car with anyone who has been drinking. My parents have always said “we’d rather you call in the middle of the night to come and get you or call a taxi and we’ll pay for it. Then to get a call from a police officer informing us that you’ve been killed in a car crash due to drunk driving”. Even to this day, they say it to my sister and me if we go to a party.

Though my family hasn’t been directly impacted by a car accident. I did meet a man through a friend of mine. The man used to be a star athlete in college. I noticed he was walking with crutches and asked if he had an athletic injury. He told me no. He was in a bad car accident in college. He and his friend were out driving around after smoking pot. They lost control of the car. From that day forth he couldn’t run or walk well. He lost his college scholarship and was not able to keep down a job due to his disability & depression. He told me, “If I could do it over again, I would have never gotten in that car”. Listening to his story, I had to think of my parents. I’ve committed to never using any substance and drive.

As I close this essay and think about the things I can do to be a better driver. I would say can:

• Utilize my insurance companies’ better-driving apps to learn from my driving patterns and improve my score.

• What my speed and braking distance.

• Never get in a car under the influence.

• Share the story of the guy I met last spring and ensure my friends don’t get into a car under the influence.

• Keep my vehicle up to specifications. Ensure I get a regular tune-up, so all equipment is in tip-top condition.

• Make sure I’m 100% focused on driving. Keep my phone and any other distractions turned off or put away while driving.

In the end, it’s up to all of us to make a difference on the road. It starts with driver’s education, but it also takes building good driving habits to make us better drivers.