Driver Education, it’s more than just “a thing” – it’s Life CHANGING!

In January, I watched a classmate take down a lamp post in my school parking lot as he was texting and driving off. That affected me by making me even more aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Driver education is the most important way to prevent these types of accidents – and even worse ones resulting in death. I vowed never to drive and text, and so I either keep my phone in my bookbag in the trunk or leave it in the pouch behind the driver’s seat. This has worked for me, and people often can tell when I am driving because it might take some time for me to return a text message, but that is okay because it is the safe thing to do. I also refuse to eat in the car while driving. I typically eat in the parking lot of my favorite places like Zaxby’s or Andy’s before even pulling off.

In Georgia, we have had a hands-free law since 2018. This means you cannot hold a phone in your hand, write a text message, take pictures, or talk while holding the phone and driving. You can only speak on the phone if it is hands-free like through Bluetooth. This law was enacted to help reduce accidents on the road due to distracted and unsafe driving, particularly from texting while driving. 3,308 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. Teen drivers (15-19) have the largest proportion of drivers involved in fatal crashes. Ten percent of all drivers in this age group involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. Simply following the law, including the speed limits, can reduce the number of deaths related to driving.

The fact remains that because technology has advanced so much with doing every function a much larger computer can do, we as teens have become so dependent upon our telephones. Young people have a habit of texting because they are so used to using that form of communication in everyday life. People text at work, school, church and even waiting in line at concerts and events, to name a few examples. Kids see their parents and other adults texting at lights and so they also follow in their parents’ habits. I know my father is always pointing out at red lights the people who are texting and holding up traffic instead of just moving. Driving-related deaths can be reduced first by actions done at home. If children can see their own parents as examples of not texting and driving, that experience is a deeper level of practical education. Being exposed to good habits early will help reinforce those safety traits. As mentioned earlier, not eating, or otherwise being distracted while driving can reduce deaths on the road. Instead, enjoy that hot, tasty bag of freshly made fast food right in the parking lot, before heading to your end destination; better safe than sorry!

Irresponsible driving causes many accidents such as rear-end accidents or just individual accidents involving stationary objects like trees, dividers, and highway signs. Sadly, the greatest harm is done against innocent drivers or pedestrians like Casey Feldman who at age 21 was killed by a distracted driver. Casey was struck by a van in a crosswalk during daylight hours on her way to her summer job. To make matters worse, the intersection had a 4-way stop sign and a maximum speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour. Based on this example, you can see how someone who is purely innocent on a street with safe conditions can turn tragic if someone is irresponsibly driving. That reality should be sobering for us all, because every one of us is at the mercy of others on the road, no matter as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian. Driver education must highlight the many ways deaths can occur, such as Casey’s incredibly sad example.

Peer pressure could help young drivers reduce deaths on the road too. Yes, peer pressure can work both ways, meaning reinforce good habits. Young people often drive in cars with their friends, but those same friends can act responsibly and encourage the driver to obey the law. They can reduce distractions by eating or making calls to others before they start off on their journey. Also, non-drivers such as passengers in the back seat can make calls or google directions and information on the phone, if needed. Also improved driver education regarding key awareness could also prevent teens from driving irresponsibly. As I write this, this past month of April was “Distracted Driver Awareness Month,” but I did not see many PSA announcements or see enough activities at my school to support this important campaign. Opportunities to educate others about responsible driving through competitions and fun activities, particularly for young people, should always be made a priority. If campaigns are promoted, young people should pay more attention to these educational and safety/awareness aspects, rather than merely using social media for fun and recreation.

Lastly, like the technology being used for law enforcement, individuals can use technology to prevent people from using their devices while driving, which would help reduce driving related deaths. Today we use apps for everything in our lives. In terms of driver safety, individually using a tracking app is effective app for teens. This app tracks and records phone usage while the car is moving and reports the activity. I have been using it since last January and I find it to be extremely easy and user friendly. Although I use it to log my trips and geo-connect with family on the road, such recorded observations regarding phone usage can better help teens track themselves and create safer driving habits. Safer driving habits means fewer deaths on the road.