The Impact of Driver’s Education

The first time I walked into my drivers education class, I was shocked by how little I truly knew about operating a motor vehicle. I was taught that driving has both physical and mental aspects, neither of which should be overlooked. Driver’s education allows people to learn the severity of driving and what they can do to decrease their chances of accidents. With this knowledge, drivers are better prepared to go out on the road and avoid losing their lives behind the wheel.

Moreover, I feel that the first step that should be taken in order to reduce the number of deaths related to driving is making driver education classes mandatory in all 50 states. Fortunately for me, I live in Delaware where the class is mandatory and also free of charge for one time only. When talking to my friends who live outside of Delaware, I often hear about how driver’s education is expensive and not easily accessible for most. In order to make sure that everyone on the road knows how to drive safely, it is necessary that drivers education be made more affordable and included in every school’s required curriculum. In addition, I feel that schools need to promote more awareness when it comes to distracted driving. Although the topic has been brought up in my school, I feel that consequences of distracted driving have not been relayed as well as they should have. I see many of my fellow peers that use their phones or simply don’t pay attention while driving. If people my age truly understood the effects of being distracted while driving, I feel that they would be a lot more careful when getting behind the wheel.

Not only does the concept of distracted driving need to be brought up more in school, but also the issue of driving under the influence should be taught to students. Teenagers are extremely likely to be inebriated while operating a motor vehicle as they have a lack of experience driving and can have poor decision making skills. If schools were to educate students on how families and individuals have had their lives destroyed at the hands of drunk driving, I feel that there would be a lot less deaths on the road.Yet, I know that telling stories and showing pictures are not enough to dissuade teenagers from consuming alcohol and drugs while driving. Instead, I feel that when explaining drunk driving to teens, healthy alternatives should be provided so that they know they don’t have to get behind the wheel to get home. Teenagers are going to drink, and the more we insist them not to, the more likely they are to ignore these requests. Knowing this, schools should educate students about the many ways to get a ride. Firstly, there are many companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare that will drive you home.Secondly, there is always the concept of having a designated driver to drive their friends home. Finally, there is always the option of calling a family member or close friend to drive you home. Having an uncomfortable conversation with parents about drinking is better than ending up in an accident. Furthermore, I feel that taking these steps in the school system will create an entirely new generation of better prepared drivers and less deaths on the road.

As a result of my driver’s education class, I have never been in a car accident. However, I have often witnessed my friends and family driving irresponsibly. Whether they’re taking their hands off the wheel or attempting to eat while driving, I recognize that many of the people close to me can be careless while operating a motor vehicle. After having this realization, I have attempted to help my family and friends become safer on the road. One of these attempts was taking a defensive driving course with my grandparents. We sat down for at least half an hour a day, watching videos on how to implement safe driving. It was extremely beneficial for both me and my grandparents and since then I have noticed all of us more carefully following the rules of the road. After taking this course, we also have taken steps to eliminate distractions while driving. Now, when one of us is driving, we must give our phone to one of the other passengers so that they will not attempt to look at it while behind the wheel. Ultimately, since the start of taking driver’s education, I have evolved as a driver and hope to educate those around me on the importance of safe driving.