Taking Control Back Through Driver Education

As a child, I once expressed to my mother my fear of driving. She told me that I was right to be scared. I did not understand her seemingly harsh words at the time; however, as a seventeen year old who has just received her driver’s license, I am now fully aware of what my mother had meant.

Driving is something everyone must have a respectable amount of fear of. When you sit behind the wheel, you have to face the fact that you or others may possibly die as a result of your actions. Whether you are driving five minutes or five hours, the reality is the same. It is because of this that driver education is undoubtedly a necessary part of the learning process for all new drivers. By teaching others the importance of driving safely and responsibly, there is hope that the rising numbers of deaths resulting from driving may soon be lessened.

For me, the initial steps I took to further my education began with completing the Driver’s Ed course offered at my highschool. This allowed for my first time ever driving to be in a controlled setting, thereby reducing much of my anxiety and fear. After sliding in behind the wheel, buckling up, and adjusting my rear-view mirror, I was ready to drive. I did not, however, realize the full extent of what must be done before driving. After being informed by my instructor, I further adjusted the seat, the steering wheel, and my side mirrors accordingly. I continued to make these small changes to my driving throughout the class. Under the guidance of a trained and experienced driver, I found myself learning something new everyday on how I could improve myself and be a better driver. By the end of the class, I was a better driver.

However, my education did not end there. Sure, I could drive straight while staying perfectly in my lane, turn without swinging too far out, and park between two cars. But knowing how to drive does not mean you are necessarily a safe driver. My mother, knowing this, pushed me into yet another driver education class. I was less enthusiastic this time around. Unlike the Driver’s Ed class at my highschool, this class was entirely information-based. With no hands on driving, I felt that it was just another source of homework. Additionally, the class itself was exceptionally depressing. Everyday, we would be shown gruesome statistics, videos, and photos of tragedies that had occurred as a result of distracted and irresponsible driving. We would examine the aftermath of two friends racing to their deaths, a drunk driver speeding down the highway, and a teenager looking down at his phone for a mere second before his car is being flipped. Seeing these images and scenes made me uncomfortable. But that is exactly what is required of driver education. As a driver, you need to be exposed to these realities. You need to be uncomfortable.

It was because I was uncomfortable that I am more responsible and safe. Now, as I drive on a daily basis, I make sure to limit any distractions to my driving. I place my phone face down, so that I will not be tempted to glance down whenever the screen lights up. If I use my GPS system, I use bluetooth for audio instructions rather than distracting visuals. When I get a call or text, I pull over.

In spite of this, I am still in danger everyday. I may have been educated on the importance of safety and responsibility on the road, but there are thousands of drivers who continue in their ignorance. Just the other day, I passed a woman who was glued to her phone. At that moment, I thought back on all of my driving classes. I thought about the studies we examined on texting and driving, where countless victims fell to texting and driving accidents.

I strongly believe that if driver education was mandatory for all new drivers, situations like this would not occur as often. I understand that it may seem like I’m asking for a lot. As a teenager, I understand. I thought that driver education was a waste of time at first. If it wasn’t for my mom, I most likely would have not made my first step in signing up for these classes. However, I am glad I did it. I am not as scared as I used to be, when I was a kid. I have taken back the little control driving grants us. I know that I have protected others by vowing to stay focused and not distracted, but I wish they would do the same.