Drivers ed and It’s Everlasting Importance

Cameron
Manning

March
27, 2020

Driver
Education Initiative Award

Drivers
Education and It’s Everlasting Importance

Oftentimes,
drivers ed is not the first time a student has driven a car.
Typically, their parents have let them steer in the neighborhood or
they had the opportunity to drive a car around in a field. That being
said, actually keeping track of the laws of the road while driving is
a whole different animal. That is where drivers ed comes in. It is
designed to educate people on how to legally operate a vehicle.
Imagine if nobody knew that they had to stop at a red light. While
this is an extreme example, it would be a disaster. By teaching
everybody to drive the same way life can be preserved.

There
are two things that I think need to happen to make driving as safe as
possible. First, drivers ed needs to focus more on the actual
operation of a vehicle. Students should have to experience being in a
vehicle that is out of control and learn how to recover from those
situations. For example, the first time my car hydroplaned I had no
clue what was going on. Luckily, I realized fairly quickly and lifted
off the gas. My car eventually regained traction and I was back on my
way. Not everyone is capable of coming to a logical conclusion during
a time of crisis. I think that by exposing people to extreme
situations many lives could be saved. Also, people should have to
take another drivers ed class every decade. There millions of people
that do not know who is supposed to go first at a four way stop. By
keeping people educated there will be less confusion on the road.

I
was in a car accident when I was seven years old. A van pulled out in
front of us from a side street and there was nothing we could have
done to avoid it. Luckily, we hit the van about three feet to the
left of the drivers door. Considering how fast we were going the
driver of the other vehicle probably would have died if he had pulled
out a fraction of a second earlier.

The
best way to stay safe on the road is to practice driving. If you can
get permission, find a parking lot where you can experience being in
a slide. So many people have no clue what to do if their car starts
sliding. Learn what you are supposed to do at a four way stop. Most
importantly, understand that you are always learning. I still run
into strange situations when I am driving. I make a point to look up
what I should have done in that situation and I make a point to
remember that information. As far as helping others, let your friends
know if they are doing something wrong and encourage them to view
every drive as a potential learning opportunity.