Investing in a Safer Future

Driving a car.

For most teens, this is a pinnacle moment in their life, one that defines their rite of passage into adulthood and the greater world of drivers. That excitement is one I felt as I first stepped behind the wheel, often oblivious to the darker side of driving that my anxious parents wanted to ingrain in me. I knew how to drive, so that’s all that mattered, right?

On a bright, sunny morning, I was heading to school on the long two-lane road that stretches for miles. Suddenly, I abruptly stopped as the car in front of me stopped, causing a chain reaction of the line of cars on this road. Up ahead, a driver had attempted to switch lanes without looking to see if other cars were heading in the opposite direction. A crash ensued. As I sat there, stuck in traffic and late to school, I watched in horror as the ambulance pulled my deceased classmate out of the crashed car. One moment of impatience and the lack of technical driving knowledge had taken their life, and that message numbingly hit me that day.

We all know the agreed-upon basics of safe driving. Wearing a seatbelt, looking all ways before moving, never driving under the influence, the list goes on. However, as teens start driving and obtaining licenses, they also enter a dangerous statistic: teens aged 16-19 consistently have the highest accident rate in the nation, making them three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than those 20 and older. As a critical national issue facing us today, the importance of Driver’s Education is greater than ever.

There are often discrepancies to what Driver’s Education entails. Some think it reiterates already common knowledge about driving. Others believe it is too pricey, and most may feel it is unnecessary when they can learn by themselves. However, we must acknowledge that the centerpiece of Driver’s Education is driver safety, not so much the technicalities that come with driving. It is not just the mandatory 30-40 hours of coursework necessary to go through before getting a license; Driver’s Education courses teach the driver judgment, defensive driving, and awareness in tough scenarios that have become all too common within teens. Though it is easy to learn things like traffic signs and rudimentary vehicle control, Driver’s Education specifically emphasizes first-hand experience when driving. Skills like learning parking scenarios, driving in different types of areas, pedestrian dynamics, and identifying potential dangers when driving are imperative for drivers to experience. Safe drivers are not born, they are made. By recognizing the importance of Driver’s Education and participating in it, we can work together to make the roads safer, one crucial step at a time.

Many school districts provide a Driver’s Education program, allowing students to access safe, consistent, and reliable instruction by licensed driving educators. As students learn important life skills in school, incorporating Driver’s Education as a mandatory part of the school curriculum allows schools to emphasize safe driving to the degree it needs to be. However, not all school districts have the funds to provide a free Driver’s Education program for their students. For example, in 2004, Michigan restructured and defunded its Driver’s Education program, shifting the burden of funding driver’s ed from the state onto families. This trend has unfortunately followed in most states across the country, decreasing teenager participation nationwide. For lower-income families who can not afford outside expenses to go towards Driver’s Education, their teens will miss out on accessible and fundamental education. One way we can support these families is with government grants to send these kids to Driver’s Education courses. If we want to prioritize the safety of our next generations to come, we must invest in their education and push our regional, state, and national legislators to do so as well.

In addition to following the rules of the road and adhering to my Driver’s Education knowledge, I will always sit in the driver’s seat knowing my life and others are in my hands. I can also make changes that are not just limited to me in the driver’s seat, from calling out a friend who’s texting and driving to pushing more accessible Driver’s Education. When we work together to promote a safe driving culture with Driver’s Education, we can do our part to make the roads safer for everyone.