Driver’s Education Importance

Driving is a necessity in daily life, whether that is going from college to work, home to a friend’s house, or picking up food. Like anything else in life, there is a beginning and a learning process. Driver’s education is that learning process and it is very important to educate all ages on the rules, regulations, and every aspect of driving before giving the keys away. Required material is indefinitely changing, however many things should be recognized first before handing a license over to someone. The importance of driver’s education includes informing drivers on aspects of the vehicle and road safety, decreasing the death toll and accident rates with action plans, building confidence based on experience, and helping others recognize distractions and avoid collisions.

Safety is important not just for the driver, but the passengers in the vehicle and others on the road, which is discussed in the driver’s education course. Comprehending material such as identifying street signs and recognizing road distractions are part of being safe on the road. Street signs can include anything from “Construction Ahead” to “Speed Limit 45” and more. Street signs are important to obey and contain consequences such as tickets and possible jail time if disobeyed. There are many distractions while driving including avoiding animals and abiding pedestrian laws, reckless driving, using cellar technology, drinking under the influence and more. Using technology while driving is the biggest distraction in a vehicle. Statistics show, 3,142 deaths in 2020 were reported due to using cellar technology according to the webpage NHTSA Driving Distracted. Many states have acted upon, and in result, have passed laws to keep drivers’ hands free of any technology while driving. Arkansas allows hands-free devices for emergencies only, however, prohibits school buss drivers from any cellular devices. Texting and driving are illegal in Indiana, Iowa, and Idaho. Hands-free devices are illegal in New York including texting and talking on the phone while driving. These laws have been enforced to protect drivers and others on the road, focusing on the most important task at hand and not doing multiple things at once. Laws and regulations are taught in the driver’s education course and tested on during the written portion of the exam. Questions are also asked while driving to identify signs and symbols along the road.

Another road distraction is driving under the influence of drugs and or alcohol. Both drugs and alcohol mess with the brain, distracting the driver and messing with senses such as sight, awareness, reflexes, and more. Statistics show, according to NHTSA, 11,654 people were killed in accidents involving alcohol in 2020 which was a 14% increase from the previous year in 2019. It is illegal to drink and drive in every state and have severe punishments if caught. First time offenders pay up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees. It is better to avoid having to pay $10,000 and call an uber than getting into an accident or pulled over by the police. Covered in the driver’s education course are all laws and regulations regarding alcohol and drug use and consequences following.

Educating drivers about safety also includes the importance of wearing seatbelts, following passenger rules, using mirrors, turn signals, and other features of the vehicle to prevent accidents and miscommunications with other drivers. In most states, it is against the law to drive down the road without a seatbelt, whether the person is driving or riding passenger. According to NHTSA, 51% of vehicle accident deaths were reported cases of non-seatbelt use in 2020. Seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45% and prevent fatal injuries such as ejection from the vehicle. When learning to drive, students should have a constant reminder of why seatbelt safety is so important, knowing they are protecting themselves and passengers from serious injuries and reducing the risk of death if in an accident. Some may ask, “What if we are driving a few minutes down the road, do we even need a seatbelt?” or, “I need to pick something up that I dropped, may I take my seatbelt off for a minute?” The answer should always be the same that seatbelts are a must in the vehicle and are required while always driving, even if the passenger questions, because seatbelts save lives.

There is always a risk of getting into a collision with another vehicle on the road or an accident involving people, animals, and other objects at any time during the day or night. Sometimes, no matter how attentive the driver is on the road, an accident can come out of nowhere. For example, I was driving home from the lake on a Saturday night, Fourth of July weekend and was rear ended at a red light by another driver under the influence the alcohol who was not paying attention to speed or surroundings. Luckily there was no injuries and the hitch of my vehicle stuck out in the back, preventing any damages to the vehicle. This is an example of distracted driving, not paying attention to street signs and laws, as well as an accident that was not avoidable to me. This could have been prevented, however, if the other driver did not get in his vehicle and drive under the influence. Unfortunately, the drunk driver who rear-ended me left the scene before the police showed up so there was nothing we could do to file a report and catch the guy who caused the accident.

Additionally, to the course study material, required hours are managed per state for driving experience before getting a license. For example, people who live in Alaska may obtain a learner’s permit at the age of 14 and get their license at age 16. Those living in Texas, Wyoming, Iowa, Kansas, and Washington can have a permit at the age of 15 and get a license at 16. Indiana residents get a permit at the age of 15 and obtain a license at the age of 16 and 3 months after their 16^th birthday. After getting a license, there are waiting periods required before driving people other than family around depending on state requirements. Indiana residents must wait 6 months after obtaining their license to drive passengers, apart from family, anywhere. This helps insure the driver is comfortable on the road, not risking passengers in any sort of danger and building confidence in certain driving situations and conditions.

I believe driver’s education is very important for everyone to learn about, not just going through the motions and chapters, but understanding that driving is serious and has consequences based on decisions made in the vehicle. The education course is not just about the safety of you and your passengers, but of those in other vehicles. It is important to be aware of the surroundings and obey all traffic and pedestrian laws, be informed of street signs and symbols, wear a seatbelt, drive sober or call an uber, avoid using technology while driving, obtain a permit while driving with an experienced licensed adult, and study the required material in driver’s education training. Learning how to drive is not something that can be achieved in a matter of hours but takes months and even a few years to become experienced and have the ability to teach others about driving safely. Driving is a privilege to get from one location to another, however there are requirements to achieve before setting off including driver’s education. Driver’s education informs drivers on everyday situations including, vehicle inspections and road safety, using action plans and awareness to decrease the death and accident rates, building confidence based on experience, and helping others recognize distractions and avoiding collisions.