It’s A Privilege, Not A Right

March
30, 2020

It’s
a Privilege, Not a Right

1. 
   Drivers ed has long been an integral
   part of the process of learning to drive. Young adults are required
   to go through several steps before they are awarded with a driver’s
   license. It is necessary for them to sit through a driver’s
   education class, pass a computer test for a learner’s permit,
   practice driving the suggested sixty hours and finally, passing the
   all-important driving test. Within this process, they learn the
   rules of the road and how to deal with certain situations. Driver
   education, if taken seriously by the student and not dismissed as
   simply an obstacle towards getting a license, provides the framework
   for the new driver of understanding what to expect on the road and
   how you should conduct yourself. Drivers ed is critical
   because you are introducing a new critical way of thinking that the
   student has not previously developed or needed to worry about. The
   most important part of drivers ed is that the student
   understands that driving is a privilege and not a right, and there
   can be deadly consequences for not taking it seriously.

2. Regrettably,
   it is my belief that driving deaths will remain a dismal part of
   life. As referenced, an average of 34,000 people die each year in
   traffic related deaths. While I believe it is very important to
   have organizations dedicated to reducing driving deaths, I think
   they are taking on a difficult task. On a macro level, it makes us
   feel good to have public service announcements highlighting these
   grim statistics and laws have been enacted in certain states
   restricting the use of cell phones while driving. I still see
   people holding phones while driving! But, on a micro level, do we
   really think about these issues until something tragic happens to
   ourselves, a family member of close friend? I don’t think so. To
   bring about real and lasting change, it will be necessary to change
   basic human behavior and thought processes and while I hope this is
   something that can happen, I think it will be monumental
   undertaking.

3. Thankfully,
   I have not had the experience of being in a car accident and both my
   parents are careful drivers, so I learned a lot from them. However,
   I have had the experience of kids from my school drinking and
   driving, and regrettably, there was an accident a few years back and
   several of them died. The saddest part of it all is how easily it
   could have been prevented by so many people making smarter
   decisions.

4. In
   order to remain a safe driver, it is important to respect the rules
   of the road and always be aware of what is going on around you. You
   may be a responsible driver, but you have to always assume that the
   person around you may do something dangerous and you should be ready
   to react. As far as helping others be safe drives, I would
   highlight these same principles.