Driver Education: Providing a Strong Foundation to Ensure Safer Roads

Samantha was ecstatic when her parents presented her with a brand new car the summer before her senior year of high school. She decided she would drive her car everyday, visiting all her friends and the places they liked to hang out. Sure, she wasn’t exactly comfortable driving yet and she knew that the loud music and open windows only served as a distraction. But she passed her driving test and completed her entire driver education course without a problem so everything should be fine, right? Actually, the course was easier than she expected. So easy, in fact, that she was able to chat with friends and use Tik Tok on her phone while still showing as present for classes on her laptop. Maybe she didn’t know what different flashing lights meant or when it was ok to turn right on red, but she would learn those things eventually. Two days before her senior year, Samantha was driving through town on a busy morning and approached a crosswalk while traveling above the speed limit. Her state had recently implemented a law that allowed pedestrians to enter a crosswalk by signaling to a driver with a wave of their hand. This was covered in Samantha’s driver’s education course. She missed it. She was watching a video of the newest manicure techniques. A young mother gestured to Samantha and stepped out into the crosswalk with her child. By the time Samantha saw them, it was too late. She slammed on her brakes. She swerved. She closed her eyes. She heard cars crash around her. She felt the impact. Fear and panic paralyzed her body. How could she open her eyes and face what happened to the mother and child?

While the above scenario is merely an example, such tragedies occur in reality on a daily basis. Though many people are quick to blame teenagers as the cause of many car related accidents, people of all ages and experience levels contribute to driver related deaths every day. Thankfully we all have the power to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Taking driver education courses and holding students accountable for the material they learn is an important first step. Intermittent testing during this early learning phase along with road lessons can help new drivers apply these rules in real time as they learn them. A thorough and comprehensive written and road exam should be necessary to acquire a license and ensure a new driver is as ready as possible to start driving. If we truly want to keep people safe, even experienced drivers need to be refreshed on the rules of the road. New rules and laws are implemented all the time and the only way to ensure all drivers are aware is to periodically provide testing to all drivers to protect both themselves as well as others. Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a problem that has plagued driving for a very long time but absolutely needs to be addressed on a consistent basis. We must continue to inform everyone of the impact these substances have on someone’s ability to drive and demand accountability from those who refuse to follow rules through mandatory education, rehabilitation, and even incarceration. It is also vital that we continue to educate people on the risks of distracted driving. While technology has become such a huge distraction on the road, even driving while eating or when tired can contribute to deaths as well. We all need reminding that sometimes even these seemingly innocent behaviors can have disastrous results.

I am very lucky that I have never been involved in a car accident. I am luckier still that my parents are both very safe drivers and they’ve always been very selective about who we drive with. They have made a huge effort to educate myself and my brother on safe driving habits, and the importance of staying alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Many years ago while driving on the highway, a large box flew off a truck towards my moms car. She swerved, crossed several lanes of traffic, and crashed into a guard rail. Thankfully she was ok, though the car was totaled. Rather than let the trauma contribute to a fear of driving, she has instead used her experience to help educate us on how to become better drivers by paying attention and learning how to react in different situations. Perhaps if more drivers were willing to share their own experiences and create a dialogue around safer driving, we could all learn how to be better drivers and make our roads safer for everyone.

I am thankful that I don’t have any friends or family affected by driving related deaths. However, I have certainly heard many stories and know that there have been many tragic accidents even in my small, quiet town. I refuse to contribute to any deaths or other accidents related to driving. I vow to continue to learn from experienced drivers and keep informed on new rules and laws on driving. As a new driver myself, I am taking baby steps and moving slowly with my progression as a driver, doing only what I’m comfortable with. Each new skill is mastered before moving onto the next so I can be a safe, confident driver. Refusing to drive while distracted and ensuring I’m well rested and familiar with my route can also help me be a safer driver. I can also encourage my friends and family to be safe and accountable by refusing to allow them to drink and drive or take other risks with driving. Serving as a role model and mentor for my younger friends and little brother as they begin their journey to getting their license is vital so they understand the importance of taking their driver education seriously. Education is the foundation that we build on for every aspect of our lives, and driving should not be any different. A thorough and complete driver education followed by guided practice and informed decision making on the road can help to greatly reduce the number of deaths related to driving. We must all do our part to ensure our communities, and our roads, are safe for everyone.