The Road Ahead

Driver
education is a vital learning experience for millions of teenagers.
It helps the youth gain experience behind the wheel, introduces them
to the rules and regulations and raises awareness of the dangers of
driving. For example, the danger of driving under the influence. The
photos of casualties caused by impaired driving that I saw during the
course still resonate with me. During my drivers ed, one of
my fellow students volunteered to try on the ‘drunk driver’
goggles. These goggles demonstrated how an impaired individual may
act during a DUI test. It was astonishing how a person could be
unable to control basic motor functions.

As
a Montana native, I am aware of the number of deaths on the road.
Highways are the main mode of transportation between towns in our
state. In 2019 there were 184 fatalities on Montana highways
(Montana Department of Transportation). Given that Montana has a very
small population, this statistic may not seem drastic when compared
to the national state average. However, by analyzing the number of
deaths per 100,000 population, Montana ranked eighth in the nation.
Montana has an average of 18.2 deaths per 100,000 people (True Trial
Attorneys).

I
have never been in a car accident, however, I have seen my friends
driving irresponsibly. In our age of mobile devices, many new drivers
have easy access to their cell phones, especially teenagers.
Teenagers who decide not to use their device while driving are
substantially reducing their chances of getting distracted. Another
common distraction for all teenagers is music. My friends love
listening to music very loudly. I have often volunteered to drive,
that way I was able to be in control of the situation.

Adhering
to the road signs, wearing a seatbelt, keeping the distractions to
the minimum, all contribute to saving lives. Self-awareness is
another important factor. For example, someone under the influence
can make a decision not to get behind the wheel. Some additional
steps that I personally can take to be a better driver would be to
avoid driving late at night and take extra precautions due to the
weather conditions. In Montana, the road conditions may change
quickly, and most of the year the roads are covered in slush, ice, or
snow. By giving myself extra time in the morning, I can avoid feeling
rushed on the road. I can also be a better driver by having more
patience with other drivers.

I
believe that drivers’ education prepares a new driver to respond
properly under certain circumstances, and therefore can potentially
save their life and that of another driver.

• Sofia
  Yager