The Responsibility of Steering Privileges

The wheel was slippery under my wet palms. I realized that my hands were sweaty. Desperate for control, my fingers curled as if they were fixed on the three and nine positions of the wheel. It was my first time in the driver’s seat as I moved at the speed of five mph in an empty parking lot, dreading getting on the road. Although driving is a brand new privilege I gained as an adolescent after I moved to the United States, I was concerned about the responsibility that comes with privileges— ensuring safety and confidence for all on the roads.

When I enrolled in Driver Education at my high school, I was anxious because driving seemed so dangerous, which was emphasized by my experience as a student advisory board member at the Youth Prevention Resource Center (YPRC). In YPRC, I learned and discussed with experts and peers about the dangers of teen driving. As I aim to reduce casualties related to driving, I also grew more knowledgeable in traffic safety beyond teenage drivers. As an aspiring leader, I seek opportunities to learn and educate youth about decision-making through YPRC. Decision-making is essential for driving behind the wheel because every single moment and decision in the car is determined by the driver. For teenagers especially, it is crucial to develop their decision-making skills in their own car as well as with others on the road.

With my goal of traffic safety, I aim to promote informed decision-making to ensure the health and well-being of teenage drivers. Understanding that driving is a new privilege for many teenagers, I aspire to ensure everyone properly leverages this opportunity. Thus, driver education is crucial. If more people understand the importance of applying knowledge and experiences learned in driver education classes, there will be a drastic reduction in traffic incidents. For example, when I first learned about defensive driving in class, I was confused about why this idea had to be taught because it seemed logical to be aware of my surroundings when driving. Yet, one personal experience helped me understand the absolute need for defensive driving and driver education. As I nervously drove the car, I made sure to look around. All of a sudden I saw the flashing red lights from the back. I panicked, for a split second, my brain was blank; forgetting all I had learned about emergency vehicles. Yet, with my instructor by my side, I calmed down as they told me to slow down and instructed me to pull to the side. As the emergency cars passed me speedily, I thought that if I were not driving with a driver education instructor and practice situational awareness, I would not know how to make the correct decision that ensured my safety and the smooth passing of emergency vehicles. It’s the responsibility of all drivers to know to make informed decisions on the road to reduce causality related to driving. Consequently, ill-informed decision-making would lead to deprivation of these driving privileges.

In addition to making informed choices behind the wheel, awareness is another key to reducing casualty, specifically death, associated with driving. Actions like defensive driving ensure the safety of all on the roads as we focus more on our surroundings and take immediate action to resolve potential hazards. For instance, we can avoid traffic tragedies if we contact the police immediately to report a suspicious vehicle, such as one traveling in snake-shape, on the road. Similarly, awareness of research about driving topics is significant. Drivers can better understand the profound implications of their actions through case studies or statistics. For instance, discovering that over 20% of drivers have encountered road rage reminds me to prioritize calmness while driving.

Furthermore, awareness of drivers themselves is equally important as I support the idea that “If you feel different, you think and drive differently.” As a passionate advocate for teen wellness, I vehemently stress the importance of mental health and substance use regarding driving. Nowadays, teenagers deal with various stimuli that may make them upset, depressed, and stressed. Negative emotions affect one’s driving as they impair the ability to make sound decisions. For instance, a teenager who receives a low grade on an exam may be overwhelmed by negative thoughts, such as parental blame, leading to flawed decision-making. With more consideration, driver education should teach students about the dangers of driving when they are in a poor state of mind. This would greatly prevent causality caused by irrational decision-making behind the wheel. We should also be open to talking about the risks of self-harm while driving. These actions impact not only the individuals themselves but also those around them who may unavoidably get injured or worse. Thus, driver education should highlight the idea that “If you feel different, you think and drive differently.”

As for substance misuse, I want to emphasize that Driving Under the Influence (DUI) should never be allowed or accepted. Besides the illegal and irresponsible misuse of substances, as youth or adults, driving under any substance influence is risky due to drivers’ uncontrolled minds and actions. Hence, driver education is necessary in helping drivers understand the cruel consequences caused by under-influenced drivers holistically. For example, in my class, I collaborated with classmates to research and present the causes and effects of DUI. We examined the tragic causality as a result of under-influenced drivers traveling in snake-shapes or not stopping according to traffic lights. This educational experience helps my classmates and me foster a commitment to safe driving practices.

To reduce deaths associated with driving and enhance road safety, driver education classes also play an essential role in instilling correct driving habits. Poor driving habits, like distracted driving, are often developed at a younger age of driving. This behavior is lethal because the split in attention leads to impaired decision-making and a lack of awareness. For instance, my driver education class helped me develop the habit of not listening to music and silencing my phone entirely while driving. These practices help me maintain focus on the road. However, individuals who haven’t cultivated these habits are more likely to get distracted when driving. Thus, advocating and supporting driver education is paramount to contributing to a safe driving environment.

As I grew into a young adult, I felt more confident in my responsibility as a driver thanks to my driver education classes. The privilege to drive safely helps my goal of securing the safety of everyone, including myself and others on the roads. I aim to contribute to the nation’s safety by continuing to assist people in gaining the confidence and education needed to responsibly exercise the privilege of driving.