GRAPHIC BY DENISE THUONGBy CAROL LI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A movement for improved education methods in public schools has become a primary focus in California, but it hasn’t been through the teaching of driver’s education.
Learning to operate vehicles is especially important in Los Angeles, since the city is such a widespread area with no public transportation that connects all areas of Southern California. And, as students begin to grow from children to teenagers, the yearn for freedom is natural, thus motivating many to begin their driver’s permit to eventually receive their license.
However, the lack of resources and time hinders high school students from putting effort into learning how to drive, a decision that should be very concerning to society.
Ultimately, driving is learned through experience, and teenagers are notoriously known to be bad drivers on the road. Stastiscally, young adults are responsible for more than half of all road traffic deaths. If individuals do not have parents who are willing to spend time teaching their children, adolescents have to rely on alternative transportation methods such as biking, walking or even waiting hours on end for their parents to pick them up, wasting precious time that could be more productively spent.
Although it may be costly to provide every high schooler driver’s education, elementary classes regarding the topic should be at least offered as an elective, perhaps even counting as credit for the driver’s permit. Any support from the public school system can help students gain a well-rounded education, not just in academics.