A Quick Glance

Safe driving is something my family took very seriously. My dad didn’t just hand me the key; he enrolled me in a driving course that kept me behind a desk for six months before I could even apply for a permit. Safety wasn’t an option; it was life or death in that class. Yet even with all that preparation, I still find myself slipping into dangerous habits behind the wheel. What terrifies me is that these habits don’t always feel dangerous, which makes them easier to ignore.

That’s exactly why teen driver safety is such a critical public issue. It’s also why education, specifically immersive education, plays such a vital role. The driving course I took didn’t just teach me how to parallel park. It showed us real crash footage, real consequences. Some of those images still flash through my mind when I find myself glancing at my phone for even a second. That kind of learning stays with you. It creates an internal alarm system, and more importantly, it should be required for every new driver.

Some of the biggest challenges teen drivers face today come from a combination of inexperience and technology. One of the most overlooked dangers is how normal distractions have become, especially our phones. Since COVID, online learning has changed how we approach education, including driver’s ed. Behind-the-scenes lessons can’t prepare us for real-life reflexes, judgment, or pressure. Without that hands-on experience, it’s easy to fall into the habit of glancing at a phone while driving, or getting lost in the car’s touch screen while trying to skip a song. That moment of distraction may seem harmless, but it can cost far more than a missed call. It can cost a life.

We don’t always think of it that way, especially when we’ve been lucky thus far. But relying on luck is dangerous. When we justify bad habits with “It’s just for a second” or “It hasn’t hurt anyone yet,” we ignore the truth. Eventually, the consequences could be far worse than guilt.

Lately, I’ve caught myself slipping. On my morning drive to work, I instinctively reach for my phone to queue up my daily scripture or line up a song to set the tone for my day. It feels harmless—just a quick glance. I tell myself I need that moment of calm. But deep down, I know I’m crossing a line I promised I wouldn’t. That voice from my old instructor echoes in my mind: “A split second can change everything.”

Accountability is what most teens lack. That’s not a word people like to sit with; I’m not unique in that way. Accountability is what separates a moment of distraction from a lifetime of regret. If I’m late, that’s on me, not the red light, and not the playlist I didn’t finish curating. When we allow ourselves to multitask behind the wheel, we’re not just breaking a rule; we are actively risking lives. Safe driving isn’t a favor we should grant others; it’s a responsibility we owe. Taking accountability means cutting the excuses. If I’m truly committed to safety, I have to accept that no text, no song, no update is worth someone’s life.

This is something schools and driving courses can and should instill in young drivers. Accountability and consequences need to be front and center. I still remember how impactful it was to see the aftermath of “quick glances” in class. Schools can help by showing teens the human side of the statistics—real stories, real families. Even something as simple as placing signs around school that say “X lives lost this month to distracted driving” could jolt someone into thinking twice before checking a notification. This seems harsh in hindsight, but even after reading the short paragraph above this scholarship describing the number of deaths in car accidents annually, I find myself more inclined to take accountability for my own distracted driving. I can imagine how beneficial a daily reminder of this would be for young adults.

Distracted driving often goes unnoticed, hiding in plain sight. We fear dramatic dangers like plane crashes or quicksand, but forget that one of the most dangerous things we do every day is drive. A car is a privilege, but in the wrong hands it can become a weapon. This is something that should be accepted and taught as fact.

By acknowledging habits, owning choices, and making real changes, teens are choosing to drive with purpose, not just for themselves, but for everyone they pass on the road. That’s where real safety begins.