It seems obvious that driver’s education is a good idea for teen drivers. But, in reality, it’s more than just a good idea because it’s a requirement in 32 states.
Driving has come a long way since the days of mail-order licenses and speed-limit-free open roads. Driver’s ed is justifiably necessary. With advances in traffic engineering, roadway designs that seem complicated actually aim to make driving safer. Traffic circles and bike lanes are here to stay.
But what about the states where driver’s ed isn’t required? Read on to find out ten benefits professional driving instruction can get you. We’ll even discuss insurance discounts for driver’s ed.
10 Reasons You Need to Pay Attention in Driver’s Ed Class
There’s a reason insurance companies assign higher premiums to teen drivers. They are a risky category to insure. But you don’t have to be part of that statistic in the scary teen driving scene. Pay attention in your driver’s ed class from Go And Drive Driving School for these ten reasons:
#1 – States Require Driver’s Ed
Most states require driver’s ed for specific age groups to get their permit or license. Plenty of research shows the benefits of driver’s ed, and lawmakers are aware of those benefits.
This requirement is more than just an attempt to save teen lives and prevent serious injury. By making novice drivers safer navigating roads, states look out for their entire population. Distracted walking is a real threat, so defensive driving skills also save pedestrian life.
#2 – Driver’s Ed Can Make You a Safer Driver
Have you ever dreamed about taking an epic road trip? Passing your driver’s ed course is the first step toward a safe trip. It’s not a sales gimmick, it’s a fact. Studies show driver’s ed programs reduce the number of traffic accidents for teen drivers.
Those traffic accidents can be fatal, but they also cause an overwhelming number of lifelong injuries. So, paying attention to your driver’s education gives you a good foundation for safe driving habits.
#3 – You Get Real-Life Experience in a Safe Environment
Supervised driving hours are one of the most valuable parts of driver’s ed. Most accidents happen within 20 miles of home, so getting to know your local roads is important. If your driving hours are in your neighborhood, you’ll know what to watch for and what to avoid.
Plus, It is much easier to remember something you do than something you hear or read. Getting out on the road and experiencing real-life driving conditions is indispensable. Practicing with an adult guiding and preparing you for the scenarios you face helps this process be as safe as possible.
Hours of guided behind-the-wheel training give you varied driving situations like pulling over for emergency vehicles and dealing with school buses. No book can prepare you for these scenarios where you have to make split-second decisions.
#4 – You’ll Get to Know Your Car
Getting behind the wheel of your car is a lot different than reading or watching videos about it. Just sitting in the driver’s seat and getting acquainted with the vehicle’s settings is invaluable. Even if you do your driving in a few different vehicles, you’ll quickly learn all cars are unique.
Distracted driving isn’t just phone-related. Searching for knobs on the radio, windshield wipers, or cruise control are preventable distractions. Driver’s ed helps teens with mental checklists to be safe even before putting the car into drive.
#5 – You’ll Learn About the Dangers of Driving
No driver’s ed class would be complete without teaching about the dangers of driving. It’s sobering to know that millions of people are permanently injured every year due to traffic accidents.
Freshman year of college shouldn’t be the only thing you have a healthy fear of. Traffic deaths are the leading cause of accidental deaths among American teens. And accidental deaths account for almost half of teen deaths.
Driver’s ed classes will also put a healthy amount of fear in your family regarding distracted driving. Learning the reasons behind hands-free driving laws will help you keep each other accountable for putting the phone away while driving.
#6 – You’ll Learn the Rules of the Road
A good driver’s ed class equips you with knowledge of traffic laws and defensive driving. You’ll learn things like who has the “right of way” and how to navigate traffic circles.
The better you understand the rules of the road, the less stress you will encounter. Decision-making ability is heavily impacted by stress, and road rage is a dangerous phenomenon. Lowering stress levels by knowing the rules of the road is key.
#7 – You’ll Be Ready for the Driver’s License Test
Driver’s ed ultimately gets you ready to ace the license test. Because driver’s ed courses require behind-the-wheel hours, you should be able to confidently take the driving and written portions of your state’s test.
While no class can guarantee you will pass your driving test, it increases your likelihood. This is true even in adult populations. Many states require new residents to pass the written portion of the driving test in order to get their license. Driver’s education might not be just for teens.
#8 – You Can Avoid Traffic Tickets
Studies show that passing a driver’s ed class reduces your likelihood of getting a traffic ticket by 40%. So not only can you avoid getting a ticket, but driver’s ed also helps you understand the process of getting pulled over.
Knowing how to interact with the police is a skill that shouldn’t be taken for granted. A good driver’s ed program will give you pointers on how to handle being pulled over.
Of course, not getting pulled over at all automatically saves money. The average speeding ticket nationwide starts at $80. And those tickets can escalate quickly with infractions added. Cell phone in hand? There’s a charge for that. No seatbelt? Add it on!
#9 – You Can Get Discounts on Car Insurance
While there are plenty of variables when it comes to insurance discounts, most insurance companies do offer a discount to teens who successfully complete driver’s education. There are even discounts for adults who take defensive driving classes.
More important in the long run, average premiums can skyrocket after your first traffic violation. Driver’s ed helps you to avoid tickets and keep those premiums down.
#10 – It’s a Rite of Passage
If nothing else is convincing enough, driver’s ed is a rite of passage. It’s a “coming of age” experience for you. Peer pressure can be a powerful motivator when it’s for a good cause. Making driver’s ed a popular and appealing venture helps you be accountable to each other for safe driving habits. Even teens can be alert and attentive drivers, making all of society safer for it.
Maria Hanson writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsuranceComparison.com. She is passionate about helping drivers find their best insurance options.
