The Importance of Driver Education

According to Mark P. Vergnano, “Most teen driver crashes are due to three ‘critical errors:’ lack of scanning, speeding, and distractions.” These three errors are all addressed at length in driver education. Sadly, however, many new drivers skim through driver education in online courses and simply do not take the valuable lessons seriously; thus, many accidents occur. Driver education, as well as the appropriate safety measures and defensive driving techniques learned in it, can significantly reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving, and this is why new drivers must carefully learn and understand driver education.

First, driver education provides new drivers with knowledge that will be useful when driving. It teaches them driving laws, helps them recognize road signs, reminds them of road etiquette, explains to them rules for right-of-way, and gives them better awareness of drug and alcohol effects. The rules of the road are the means of communication which all drivers share, and deviations from these rules can lead to accidents. Therefore, sufficient knowledge is key to driving safely, especially for teenagers, who tend to act upon impulses in the absence of concrete right and wrong choices: “The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so…Teens process information with the amygdala. This is the emotional part” (Understanding the Teen Brain). The incomplete development of rational thinking in young brains is also why driver education requires new drivers to have a licensed adult in the car until they receive their permanent license. Inexperienced drivers are then able to see invaluable knowledge in practice from calm, experienced drivers in real-time, real-road situations, which allows them to better judge future driving situations.

Additionally, driver education gives new drivers some tips on how to minimize distractions and take precautions. For example, one of the easiest, and perhaps most obvious, ways to limit distractions is to turn cell phones off while driving (Vergnano). Alerts and notification sounds can distract the driver briefly. Texting takes time and attention away from the task of driving; it also requires the driver to remove one or both hands from the steering wheel. Even hands-free phone conversations are as dangerous as physically holding the cell phone because it is the driver’s mental focus which is compromised. Certain precautions must also be taken to ensure the safety of the driver and passenger. For instance, making sure that everyone in a car is wearing a seatbelt is crucial step to safety, as “over 60% of pediatric spinal fractures occur in children ages 15-17, coinciding with the beginning of legal driving…nearly two-thirds…occurred when seat belts were not used” (Basic Facts About Teen Crashes). Furthermore, new drivers should request that passengers be calm and relatively quiet when in the vehicle so that they do not cause distractions.

Third, driver education allows new drivers to be more aware of traffic around them and teaches them strategies for defensive driving, which helps to reduce the number of traffic accidents and deaths. In my experience driving, I have witnessed many cars around me speeding 15-20 miles per hour over the speed limit, cutting across multiple lanes quickly, careening around corners, braking hard suddenly, or passing when it could be dangerous to do so. This is why practicing defensive driving is so important in road safety. The first step in defensive driving is to scan the surroundings constantly and thoroughly, which is a strategy that driver education emphasizes. The second step is to be aware of surrounding cars and potential safety hazards and planning ahead so that accidents can be avoided.

Finally, there are some additional steps that both parents and teenage drivers can take to avoid crashes and driving-related deaths. Perhaps most importantly, “most teen crashes can be prevented with plenty of quality parent supervised driving practice” (Basic Facts About Teen Crashes). Once their children begin to drive, parents should spend more time than the recommended 50 hours practicing with their new teenage drivers. For instance, I was not allowed to take the driving exam for my permanent license until I was eighteen, and by then, I had three years’ worth of supervised driving experience. In addition, even before their children begin to drive, parents can demonstrate good driving to build a solid foundation. For example, I have never been in a car accident because I have always been taught safe driving and have seen it in practice; my family and friends have driven responsibly and modeled good driving habits for me, and this has been invaluable. One more technique that I personally find effective is to clear my mind before driving. This is because it is easier to become distracted by my own thoughts if I am upset or overly excited, and being distracted increases the risk of driving mistakes and accidents.

In summary, driver education has the potential to significantly reduce the number of driving-related deaths if new drivers study it well and adhere to the lessons they learn. The knowledge that young drivers gain is invaluable when judging driving situations, and the warnings they are given help them limit distractions and take appropriate precautions when driving. Defensive driving techniques can be learned while practicing with a licensed adult. Finally, parents and new drivers can both work together to ensure a solid foundation for good decisions and driving habits on the road. All of these benefits from driver education are why it is so important to study and apply it, making the road a safer place for everyone.

Works Cited

“Basic Facts About Teen Crashes.” Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2022, https://www.teendriversource.org/teen-crash-risks-prevention/car-accident-prevention/basic-facts-about-teen-crashes. Accessed 10 May 2023.

“Understanding the Teen Brain.” Stanford University, 2023, https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=understanding-the-teen-brain-1-3051. Accessed 10 May 2023.

Vergnano, Mark P. “How Do We Prevent Motor Vehicle Deaths?” National Safety Council, 18 February 2019, https://www.nsc.org/safety-first-blog/how-do-we-prevent-motor-vehicle-deaths-. Accessed 10 May 2023.