Driver’s Education: Why Should I Take My Time?

Driver education helps mold young minds to understand the importance of being actively engaged when learning about road safety, as a way to ensure they are aware of surroundings, seemingly unlikely scenarios, and seeing firsthand what careless driving can do. As time consuming as it may seem, driver’s ed is pertinent to any young or new driver who is not fully aware just how risky it can be to drive, no matter if it is a long distance, or just down the road. Driving is a big responsibility, and not only does driver education help make one more knowledgeable about potential dangers from other drivers, but also from the car itself. Driver’s ed not only discusses dangers of the road, but also makes it a point to talk about what needs to be given attention in a car, and how often to do so. This is crucial to understand, so as to not put anything off when being responsible for a vehicle. In turn, this helps keep everyone on the road safe, especially those who are new to driving.

Oftentimes, a lot of possibilities to reduce the number of deaths from reckless driving can sound unattainable or unrealistic. However outlandish they may sound, it could also be the correct measure to be taken, and people just do not wish to come to terms with it. Some steps that could be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths include raising the age to get a permit and license, restricting the use of alcohol during common rush hour time patterns, and even doing background checks if necessary to ensure the wrong person is not getting possession of a dangerous mechanism. In a lot of households, teenagers are given a big responsibility when receiving a car. A lot of times, they are able to have a car because they have proven themselves trustworthy and responsible for something more low scale such as good grades in school. Nevertheless, driving is often an ability taken for granted. If a teenager does not meet standards that have been discussed, they may be punished by getting their keys taken away. This would theoretically cause them to recognize they have to learn and earn back their privilege.

It can be all too easy to take that one risky chance that could have been avoided by being more patient or more vigilant. Many people have dangerous driving habits, and it can be hard to convince them to stop doing so. On the subject of being more patient, a family member of mine has a habit of roughly stopping at red lights and stop signs, and takes chances by speeding up on yellow lights to avoid having to wait. Additionally, they tend to drive above posted speed limits on highways to avoid being stuck behind a slower driver for too long. This poses a threat to those in the car that is speeding, and anyone the car attempts to get around. Speeding is one of the biggest problems with drivers, old and new. People have gotten so used to a structural time frame, that they would do anything they see as reasonable to not get the schedule thrown off, even if that means posing a danger to others. If this is the case, oftentimes the driver sees it in a different light, and continues doing so without giving it a second thought. Keeping in mind that driving is a privilege and not a right, many people should take into consideration how else they would get around if their license becomes revoked, due to reckless driving or behavior.

Being a safe driver means being aware of surroundings at all times. To become a better and safer driver, and to teach others to follow suit, I can inform them just how dangerous speeding can be, even if they think nothing of it. True statistics are known to make people think twice about others’ actions, and they are more likely to reflect on themselves to make sure they do not act in a way they do not agree with. As presented, dangerous driving has caused more deaths than the total number of American soldiers who died overseas. If more people hear about this, there would be a higher probability that people check themselves if they feel they are doing something wrong, or someone would hopefully say something to correct said dangerous behavior. Overall, the introduction of driver education has been somewhat successful, but once it is completed, the rest is left up to the driver: will they decide to help out their community, or will they put themselves first?