See It, Do It: The Importance of Observation in Drivers Ed

The
main idea of my drivers ed course in high school was that
driving can be deadly. I remember learning about how many people die
because they were not wearing seatbelts and how many situations
qualify as distracted driving. It was difficult to truly accept these
lessons as I watched some of my older friends post on snapchat while
driving and remain unscathed. My parents would only let me in the car
with one of two select friends behind the wheel, and their reticence
helped foster my awareness that getting in the car with a teen driver
should not be an act of faith, but a choice made with trust in the
skill and responsibility of the driver. By the time it was my turn to
learn to drive, I understood the gravity of what I was doing.

A
month before beginning range, I experienced my first car accident. No
one was driving irresponsibly; the hood of my family’s car flew up
on the interstate. When the hood crashed into the windshield, my
mother, who was driving, was so shaken that she did not take action
for several seconds. My father, who is much more composed, told her
to pull over and then worry about everything, advice which got us to
safety. This experience taught me to be calm whenever I am driving
and something scary happens on the road. Even if I feel anxious, I
follow my father’s example and focus on assessing my options to
make choices that will ensure the safety of myself and those around
me.

The
most impactful part of my drivers ed was watching my
parents drive. Learning the rules of the road was necessary and
completing my learning hours taught me how to put what I learned into
practice. However, I usually find myself imitating the way my parents
drive. My braking distance, signaling habits, and hand-over-hand are
all results of the fifteen years I spent observing my parents in the
car before I was in control.

Due
to the large role imitation plays in new driver’s approaches to
being on the road, observing good drivers should be part of driver’s
education. Not everyone has exceptional role models in their
families, so in order to increase the number of safe drivers on the
road, range and traffic requirements should include observing the
driving instructor.

Although
I have my license, every time I drive, I take it as an opportunity to
become a better driver. I try to bring my awareness that it is not
all fun to my peers. When I offer a friend a ride, I ask them to
inform their parents that I am newly licensed. It is important to
take driving seriously because it is so dangerous, and if more
teenagers take it seriously, they will grow into adults who remember
that getting behind the wheel is a privilege that comes with risk.
When that risk is acknowledged, it can be reduced through the good
habits built during drivers ed.