The Power of the Wheel

Drivers’ education and driver’s safety is highly important to protect yourself and others on the road. Accidents are less likely to occur when drivers are trained. Going to driving school offers comprehensive driving skills and will educate you on the rules of the road. Not having driving knowledge will cause confusion and a higher risk of crashing. The Organization for Safe International Road Travel estimates that 37,000 people lose their lives in car accidents each year. 2.35 million additional people suffer injuries or disabilities as a result of auto accidents. Traffic fatalities among those under the age of 15 total 1,600, and those between the ages of 16 and 20 account for over 8,000 fatalities annually. Reports from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015 even declare taking a driver’s education course will diminish the number of fatalities, accidents and violations, particularly among novice drivers. In truth, younger people who don’t enroll in drivers’ education are 75% more likely to disobey the law, 24% more likely to be in a fatal crash or die and 16% more likely to experience an accident.

Taking drivers education will train you to be a better driver and is needed in order to drive on the road legally. Even before knowing how to function a car, you’ll have the knowledge to apply to your driving skills already due to drivers ed, whether you begin to practice at home or with a driver’s ed instructor. In order to reduce or eliminate the chances of death when driving you must follow the law. This includes a wide variety of rules such as taking the permit test, getting driving hours, completing driving school, and taking the on the road test for the Provisional’s License. You must ensure you obey all traffic lights and signs, always have your seatbelt on, never drive while impaired or intoxicated, use your mirrors, avoid trucks blind spots, never go over the speed limit unless accelerating to get into another lane when needed and so much more. It is so important you have the right amount of sleep before driving, you are sober, and you keep passengers and yourself safe in your vehicle.

Back in 2013 my mother was side swiped by a woman who was not paying attention and occupied with her phone. I was in the backseat scared out of my mind as was my pregnant mother; the impact that had occurred shook our 2008 Toyota 4Runner. I was about 8 when this collision happened, and my mother ended up calling my dad and wanting the woman and man who was in the other car to exchange insurance and other information. The two ended up not having insurance and tried to beg and bribe my mother with money. She refused and demanded information and soon settled the damage and costs to fix the car. I was grateful my mother wasn’t hurt or the baby, and I was happy the crash wasn’t bad. There are so many people who have the craziest crashes and end up with a ton of injuries and a totaled car. It is important to keep your eyes on the road and don’t text and drive.

My cousin’s father passed away due to an irresponsible driver years ago. He was on the side of the road helping another fix a car issue that was occurring. The driver was speeding so fast when making a turn and didn’t see anyone on the side of the road striking my cousin’s father’s head on, knocking him out of his shoes. He had multiple head and body injuries and was rushed straight to the trauma room. It was a horrible sight when my mother visited him at the hospital. Later, he unfortunately passed away after arriving at the hospital due to much blood loss and other injuries. He was an amazing father to 3 children and unfortunately died due to someone else’s negligence on the road who ended up surviving the collision.

I recently took online driving courses, passing all the tests and getting my driving hours with my driving school. I was nervous driving as I hadn’t practiced too much on the road and driving with a stranger didn’t help. But my driving instructor was very kind and calming, communicating with me on the do’s and don’ts of driving. I got to learn where the turn signals were, headlights and low beams, hazards, and got used to the feel of a car. Driver’s education allows young and inexperienced drivers to learn everything about drivers’ safety and education while also helping you get comfortable with driving. I now have my Provisional’s License and have been driving on the roads with that same 2008 Toyota 4Runner. I know drivers’ education is important because it teaches correct and safe driving, how to handle certain conflicts on the road and to avoid collisions. It also helps others who are following the rules stay safe from people who don’t have drivers’ education (driving illegally) and to avoid the loss of loved ones.