In the Driver’s Seat

It is time! Gather around 14 year olds! Now is when you start learning about what it takes to be a real driver. But buckle up, because driving is much more than just singing along to the radio in the car with your friends on the way to the mall.

Driver education is a very necessary and educational first step for all drivers. Even though the 14 year olds go begrudgingly and are anxiously awaiting their time to get behind the wheel, actually sitting them down and going through the ups and downs to driving is a perfect first step. They have to realize how big of a step of maturity driving really is.

The topic of driver education revolves heavily around the dangers of getting behind the wheel, which can be a lot to take in. I was told that if I look at my phone for a mere second, BOOM! Crash and death. If I got distracted by an animal walking on the side of the road, BOOM! Crash and death again. Honestly, if my teachers were trying to terrify me away from doing anything stupid, they absolutely succeeded.

While many view this technique of teaching driving as harsh for the young students, it is an imperative discussion, as becoming a driver does have its dangers. Learning about the risks of driving from the start saves lives, even if it simply scares young drivers away from their screens when they are behind the wheel. Simply knowing one should not text and drive will not completely stop the behavior. However, seeing the destruction texting and driving brings through pictures of crashes and interviews with families of victims definitely makes new drivers think twice before Snapchatting on the highway. This caution embedded in their minds ultimately reduces the number of deaths surrounding new drivers.

Another way to reduce the number of deaths related to driving than just driver education for future drivers is their parents becoming a good example. Most parents did not go through the same driver education their children did, so they often make little errors that the children will likely follow, such as “only looking at their phone for a second to see who texted”. Since they are there for most of the actual time on the road, the parent should know what to discourage while behind the wheel. Every time I am in the car, when I hear the phone buzz, I grab it and read my parents their notification, asking them how they want me to answer. That way, they keep their eyes on the road with me doing the physical texting. It is a small gesture, but since I started doing it, my mom automatically hands me the phone when it goes off.

Even small things like texting for my parents make a big difference for the driving community. The practice of passengers texting for the driver when necessary should be advertised, as it will limit the distractions for all drivers. Plus, any kid can type what the parents are telling them to, and they will grow up knowing how to deal with text messages in the car in a safe manner. Then, if the driver is alone in the car, the habit of checking the phone themselves will not be embedded in their brain, and they will easily be able to refrain themselves.

Driver education not only brings to mind the legitimate dangers of driving with ways to limit them, but going to the classes or watching them online shows real commitment from the student, building a responsibility they will take with them on the road. Thirty hours, the length of my own driver classes, is a huge commitment, especially for young teenagers consumed with activities in their lives. Typically a trip in the car is not a full thirty hours, but it is just as big of a commitment as the classes. Although the lessons focus on the dangers of driving, through their dedication to finishing the classes, the students grow in responsibility and patience, two essential characteristics for a driver. With more devoted teenagers on the road, deaths related to driving will decrease substantially.

Now, the glorious freedom that comes with driving can never be diminished. Young teenagers being able to hang out with their friends without inconveniencing their parents because of their need for a ride is a huge milestone that should not only be looked at through a negative lens. Because of the long, sometimes tedious, classes these teenagers go through, they are able to really appreciate their trips with their friends. With this appreciation comes the ability to make sure everyone gets where they need to be safely. Even if the trip is as little as a mini shopping spree at the mall.