Driver's Education
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page. |
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Driver's Education or Driver's Ed is a class or program offered by independent agencies and most high schools in the United States. However, the number of high schools offering driver's education is steadily decreasing. This is a result of less education funding, and booming fuel prices. In driver's education students learn how to drive and practice road safety. During driver's education courses, a dual-controlled car, meaning a car with brake pedals on both sides, is used. Students take driver's education to supplement the knowledge from government-printed driving handbooks so that they will be prepared for the test to get their learner's permit or driver's license. Some car insurance agencies also offer discounts to those students who have completed a Driver's Ed program.
In some states, students taking driver's education have the opportunity to get a waiver, which allows them to receive a learner's permit or driver's license without having to take their driving test. Successful completion of a driver education course is required by many state agencies before young drivers receive their driver license or learner's permit. Driver's Ed courses are now also offered through online education websites. Such websites offer an alternative to classroom courses, as some schools do not offer driver education due to decreased budgets, and rising fuel prices. One should check with one's department of motor vehicles, or the local equivalent. Some internet courses not state-approved programs.
[edit] On Track
Some car clubs, such as the Porsche Club of America and PBOC Motorsports Club, conduct Driver's Education programs focused on how to handle an automobile under high-speed driving conditions, rather than on learning the rules of the road. There are peer reviewed studies that report a higher incident of car crashes after drivers take high speed driving courses. These programs take place at road racing courses and include both classroom instruction and driving. Students drive with an experienced instructor until they are "signed off". At this point they can continue practicing and improving their skills without an instructor. DE programs involve multiple cars together on a racetrack, but they are not considered racing because they are not timed, winners are not declared, and drivers must wait to pass until the driver being passed gives permission with a hand signal. These programs require approved, up-to-date racing helmets and rollover protection for convertibles. Some also require long-sleeved shirts and long pants for fire safety. However, they do not require full rollcages, five- or six-point seat belts, fire extinguishers, fire-resistant racing suits, or other safety features seen in racing and more.
