Driver’s Education: A Matter of Life or Death

“In 2020, 38,824 people died on United States (US) roads.”

I consider Driver’s Education a matter of life and death. Driver’s Education is an opportunity to learn the rules of the road from an expert, not just mom or dad. I went through Driver’s Education when I was 15 and have valued the experience since. The reason I think Driver’s Education is a matter of life or death will be told in Ella’s life story.

In 2019, I had graduated 8^th grade and was headed into high school. I had a friend who played on the basketball team with me named Ella. Ella was 14 years old. Around 1 a.m. on July 21^st, Ella was riding in a car with four other friends when the car she was riding in hit a garbage truck in an intersection. In that crash, my friend was killed and the other four lived. I did not know the person who was driving the car that night, but it begs the questions, ‘What was going on in the car that may have been distracting?’ or ‘How could my friend have been saved from a tragic death?’ A life lesson was learned on this day that I will hold with me forever. Life is not guaranteed but I can drive safely in an effort to protect me and those around me.

I definitely believe that safety starts in the Driver’s Education seat, however, beyond that I believe seat belts are one of the most important tools in a car to reduce the number of deaths when driving. I am intending to study engineering and physics in college and already understand that a vehicle in motion has a lot of momentum, takes yards to stop, and stopping the cars momentum will not stop your body’s momentum forward. If you were to get into a car accident, without a seatbelt, you can not only be thrown around in the car, but possibly thrown out of the car or through the windshield. In addition, all of the items in the car become projectiles that can cause unintentional harm. In 2020, as reported by the National Highway Association (US Department of Transportation), ejected passenger occupants increased by 21%. This demonstrates the importance of wearing a seat belt as a safety tool in the vehicle.

Today, the safety features in vehicle are using artificial intelligence to aid in the practice of safe driving. For example, there is beeping that happens when crossing lanes, lights in the mirrors that indicate the person is in the next lane, self-stopping mechanisms, and back up cameras. The auto industry is dedicated to ensuring we are all safe on the road. However, the auto industry is only part of the equation. The driver’s training and experience behind the wheel is also key to keeping everyone safe. However, no matter what training and experience drivers have had, their attitude of safety is also very important in this equation.

I believe that today drivers have the potential to be distracted by their phones, electronic screen and gadgets, the radio, and friends who are in the car. Distractions can also be eating, pedestrians, construction, alcohol, and drugs. In 2020, distracted driving killed 3,142 people in the United States (National Highway, US Department of Transportation). Texting is one of the most deadly distractions on the road today. In an excerpt in the same report, ‘At 55mph, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed’ and ‘Texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol’. Just texting and driving, alone, caused 396 deaths. Driver’s Education reveals the dangerous reality of distracted driving and the deadly consequence that can occur.

I have been driving on my own since I was 16. Even though I went to Driver’s Education, I still feel as though I am a young and inexperienced driver. There are situations I have yet to encounter but hope my training will be enough to help me react and respond appropriately. I believe that many young and inexperienced drivers I am around believe that they are invincible. I watch them drive fast and irresponsibly believing that nothing bad could happen to them. I know otherwise because of my friend, Ella. I, on the other hand, am very careful and aware of other cars around me. I understand, though, that no matter how careful I drive, another driver could run a red light or crash into the back of my car. I would not say I am afraid to drive, but I want to be as cautious as possible when I am on the road. Driver’s Education was one of the most significant educational programs I attended that could save my life, as well as others.