Name: Windsor McInerny
From: Long Beach, California
Votes: 0
Should
Ethics Be a Larger Conversation in Drivers Ed?
In
the fun yet turbulent times of high school, it is easy to forget that
our actions have consequences. While our parents and guardians
consistently remind us of this fact, it typically applies to larger
scenarios. They say, “think” when it comes to school, “think”
when it comes to college, and “think” when it comes to our
future– often us and them dismissing the severity of smaller things
that could potentially halt
our
futures. This is a tune in need of changing. More specifically, we
must discuss the dangers of driving amongst teens and advocate for
safer driving methods.
Many
people blame social media applications for current accidents
happening at the hands of teens– who were looking at their phones
and not the road. However, an app cannot actually cause an accident.
In this sense, the fault is in the lack of awareness toward being an
alert driver and not the potential distraction. Instead of being
angry with cell phones, we should be advocating for better outreach
to teenagers. Again, more specifically, explaining that–
predominantly as a driver– your immediate actions have immediate
consequences.
This
same idea is seen in teenagers who do not wear seatbelts. Its
rationalized by the belief that “one time without a seatbelt” or
a “short drive” could, in no way, be potentially dangerous–
ignoring statistics for a false sense of immortality. The same
rationalization is used for driving under the influence of alcohol or
drugs and risky driving maneuvers. Mostly, these beliefs are used to
defend actions that result in avoidable
accidents or injuries.
This
accumulates into a need for better driving education. If the moral
implications of teen driving were more stressed in driver’s
education courses, we could potentially lower the number of teens
partaking in hazardous driving. Teenagers must see a clear link
between cause and effect, decision and outcome, action and
consequence. While teens already see the link in other facets of
life, it seems less highlighted when it comes to driving. I have
never been in an accident, but I see my fellow peers get in them
over impulsive mistakes they soon regret. I have always been a
proponent of taking the necessary and easy steps to ensure driving
safety when it comes to friends, family, and peers. When we know the
correct driving precautions, we tell our friends to “put their
phone away” or “put their seatbelt on” and create a positive
dialogue that driving safety is critical and that accidents can be
avoidable.
