Driver Education: A major piece of the puzzle

Driving is an inherently dangerous activity, and each year the lives of thousands of people worldwide are tragically cut short as a result of driving accidents. On average, there are 14,386 car accidents a day; in other words, there is one crash every 6 minutes. As a teenager and a part of the driving community, it is crucial that I do my part to ensure that I am making my driving habits safe for myself and for other drivers.

It is possible to reduce this number of driving deaths through driver education programs. A driver education course or program of instruction is intended to teach safe and responsible driving practices. It is designed to make sure that those who enter the world of driving, whether for leisure or as a profession, are well informed when it comes to the laws, rules and regulations of the road, automotive functionality and the different behaviors which can lead to dangerous scenarios.

One of the primary ways in which driver education can reduce the number of deaths from driving is that it can instill a sense of responsibility in those who seek to the use the roads. Having a good understanding of what is expected of them as drivers can give individuals sound judgement when it comes to decisions on the road. This can lead to them making correct and safe decisions even when faced with a split-second decision.

Driving is an essential part of everyday life, but it can also be dangerous. Reckless driving, drunk or distracted drivers, and even bad road conditions can lead to fatal accidents and result in the loss of innocent lives. In order to prevent unnecessary deaths related to driving, there are several steps that can be taken.

First and foremost, stricter laws and punishments should be imposed for those caught violating traffic regulations. This may include harsher fines for speeding and harsher criminal penalties for drunk driving or for causing an accident due to other forms of negligence. Increasing public awareness of driving-related risks and the severity of the consequences could also help discourage reckless behavior and ensure that people think twice before they drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A second step that can be taken to reduce fatalities related to driving is improved road infrastructure. This may involve increasing the width of roads and making more investments in paving and repairing roads to ensure that the roads we drive on are safe and in good condition.

I have not been in a car accident and luckily none of my close friends or family have been either lately. Before I was born, my dad told me about a time he was involved in a rear-end collision. Traffic on the interstate came to a sudden slow-down and all three lanes had to come to an abrupt stop, but the car trailing my dad did not see the slow-down and smashed into the back of his car. His car in turn hit the car in front of him and then careened into the medium. Luckily, he was ok and did not suffer any life-threatening injuries or broken bones, but his car was totaled. After he told me this story, to this day I have been hyper aware of my speed, spacing and attentiveness on the interstate.

While it’s important to be aware of your car and the environment around you, there are other steps you can take to be a better and safer driver. Here’s a list of some areas to focus on:

1. Educate yourself – Take the time to remain familiar with the rules of the road and your state driving laws. Knowing the laws of the road will help you stay safe and help you become a better driver. Additionally, take the time to understand how different weather conditions affect the roads and your driving technique. Also, plan ahead for road construction projects, these are always time-consuming trips and require a little more time and patience.

2. Maintain your car – Keeping your vehicle in good mechanical condition is vital to your safety on the road. Be sure to keep up with regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, tire air pressure, and brake checks. This will ensure that you are driving a safe and reliable car.

3. Distracted Driving – Put the phone down! This is probably the number one cause of accidents in the United States today if not the World. If a call needs to be made while driving, take advantage of the hands-free technology that most automobiles afford these days. I have seen all too many times someone holding the phone and texting while driving.

In conclusion, by knowing the rules, being aware of your surroundings and practicing safe driving, I believe that it not only helps the safety of myself but those around me. I know my driver’s education program has prepared me to be a more cautious and conscientious driver at all times.