Editorial: Driver’s Education should be required Students learn driving essentials in classroom to succeed on open road
In 2011, 162 Indiana teenagers between 15 and 20 years old died in car accidents, according to “State Drivers” Online. In 2011, Indiana passed a new law for obtaining a driver’s license. According to “Indiana Government” Online, one must go to a registered licensing branch and present documents of identity and a signed log of 50 hours of supervised driving. After meeting those requirements, the person must pass vision, writing and driving tests. This means drivers can get their licenses without driver’s education. The Echo believes that the state should require driver’s education to keep drivers safe, further knowledge and benefit society overall. Young drivers may obtain a license when they are only 16 years and 270 days old without taking driver’s education, according to “Indiana Government” Online. Without proper training from an accredited driver’s education teacher, teenagers are losing out on important information that could save their lives and protect other people’s safety. According to a “Health News Daily” Online survey, 20 percent of teenagers polled from 34 different states did not take driver’s education. Those regions where teens did not take the class had more accidents. Knowledge that students develop in driver’s education is crucial; it not only teaches good driving but also promotes the understanding of common and uncommon rules of the road. The written test is the most failed part of the driver’s exam, according to “Kids and Cars” Online. The written test involves questions over common road rules, sign shapes and meanings, and other things that some teens may overlook in the driver’s manual before taking their tests. Driver’s education teaches and applies the essential information that every driver should learn before they are eligible to get their license. Although teenagers are not the only age group that causes accidents, insurance companies charge higher rates for drivers under the age of 18 because they are at a higher risk for accidents, according to “State Drivers” Online. The education teens receive could help them avoid accidents, which would allow their insurance rates to drop. People argue that driver’s education does not need to be required because young drivers should not have to spend money if they can practice driving on their own and study the manual. Although some young
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Opinion 19
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drivers might be able to focus on driving and the manual, they are missing out on the hands-on experience and real life application of the things taught in driver’s education with a certified teacher. The learning experience from a classroom setting might be able to help the pupil to focus more and be able to retain the information. Students can obtain their license and be good drivers without driver’s education, but the student might be able to be a better driver with driver’s eduction. To ensure safety, perspective drivers should take driver’s education, even if they think it might not be worth it. The pros of driver’s education outweigh the cons. With more knowledgeable, experienced, confident drivers on the road, driving in Indiana would be safer for everyone. Indiana needs to preserve safety within its boundaries and make its citizens feel more protected when they are on the road by requiring driver’s education before people under age 18 receive their licenses.
to the LetterEditor I’ve read a few Echo newspapers, and I really enjoy the columns, but there seems to be a lack of Internet games. The video game columns I’ve read have been about “Assassin’s Creed,” “Fallout” and a few others, but what is there for those that enjoy roaming around the web for something cheap and easy to get into? Sure, people know about Armor Games, Addicting Games or Newgrounds, but what about Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games? There is a huge selection out there that nobody knows about unless a friend tells them or they get an annoying ad for games such as Darkorbit or World of Warcraft. For the next Echo newspaper, try hunting around the Internet for new and old MMOs that people could try. “Stars Wars: The New Republic” just came out a bit ago, and they have sevenday trials that you could mention. Maybe you’re looking for a strategy game such as EdgeWorld. There are so many choices out there; it is insane! Even better, you could list a couple of companies that make online games. Bigpoint, for example, has a good 15-20 MMOs and a few flash games. They have shooters, racing, strategy and maybe something like Farmville, if people want to play that without the constant notifications of someone sending them a plow on Facebook. -Nathan Brown, 11
Editorial staff Adviser
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Editor-in-chief Managing Editor Belle LeBeau
Rachel Fischer
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Staff members Alexa Adamson, Krystal Andry, David Allspaw, Katie Brewer, Kenzi Barnes, Ben Brown, Shelby Brown, Tristan Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Haller, Grace Kelly, Maria Khan, Tiffany Lanteigne, Kaylie McCoy, Megan Medellin, Olivia Price, Tasha Rollings, Anna Wray
About the Echo The Echo exists as an open forum through which its readers can express concern and gain insight into local, national and international issues as they relate to Avon High School students or teens in general and as a place for student journalists to work in a professional environment. The Echo holds the viewpoint that no subject is too sensitive to discuss if done so in a responsible manner. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. The Echo recognizes that with this freedom comes responsibility. Journalistically, this means accurate, fair and objective coverage. A.) The purpose of the Echo is to inform, to entertain, to create interest and to evaluate. B.) The Echo does not express the views of the administration, faculty members, or the like, except in quotations or letters to the editor. The views of the Echo are not necessarily those of Avon High School students, parents, administrators or staff. C.) The Echo does not condone censorship or any policy of prior review. D.) The Echo will respond to complaints about accuracy, fairness and completeness of copy. When a report is found to be wrong or misleading, a correction will appear in the next issue of the Echo. E.) Letters to the editor are welcome provided they are signed. Under special circumstances, the Echo will withhold the names. However, the Echo will not protect the identity of the writer should a lawsuit occur. The Echo reserves the right to edit letters for libel and defamation, obscenity and copyright. The editor may also edit for length and correction of expression. F.) The Echo will be distributed in a manner to be determined by the editorial team. The Echo student subscription price will be included in book rental. G.) In the occurrence of a death of a student, faculty member or school staff personnel, a standard size obituary will run. It will be a short feature and include a photograph, if one is available. Cause of death will not be reported.