Cars Are Weapons Not Toys

Driving is something that every teenager dreams of. Turning sixteen is such a fun and exciting thing. It’s when teenagers start to experience their first taste of freedom. They are able to get their license and start driving on their own. This can seem like something really fun but what most teenagers do not understand is that cars can be a weapon.

Majority of car accidents happen between the ages of sixteen and nineteen. Driver’s education should be something required in every state. It has been proven that teenagers who take driver’s education are less likely to get into a car accident than those who did not take it by 4.3%. It is so important to put in perspective how dangerous driving can be especially at a young age.

Teenagers can be very reckless. They like to live life to the fullest even if the consequences are dangerous because they don’t look that far ahead when making a decision. The best way to keep the roads safe is by driving responsibly but sometimes people, especially teenagers, don’t learn to do this unless experiencing some kind of danger on the road. A lot of teens will not think about how dangerous driving is unless they experience something first hand.

When I turned sixteen the very first thing I did was get my drivers license. It was something new and exciting and I could not wait to get out on the road. I lived in Arizona at the time where driver’s education was not required. I liked to think I was a safe driver but I was still just sixteen and learning. Only months after getting my drivers license I had gotten into a car accident. I was driving with my younger brother in the passenger seat with the music blasting. It was very dark outside and I had so many things going on in the car that were distracting me. I thought I would be able to focus on driving with all of the commotion but I was very wrong. I was not focused on the road or the other cars around me and when I turned to get on the freeway a truck crashed into me. It hit the passenger side where my younger brother was sitting and I do not remember much of the accident but I do remember how it felt. Everything went black and I was filled with so much fear. Luckily no one was seriously injured but I learned so much from that experience.

I will never forget how terrified I was, especially for my younger brother. I was the one driving and I was the one responsible for his safety. The accident should have been so much worse than it actually was but I am so glad that it was not. I believe driver’s education should be required everywhere because it can teach people so much. I regret not signing up for it because maybe I would have never crashed and maybe I would have never put my brother’s life in danger. When it comes to driving many teenagers, including myself at the time, do not really consider the safety of your passengers. It was not until I experienced it first hand how I came to the realization that when I drive I am not only responsible for my own safety but also for the safety of the people in the car with me and the safety of those in the cars around me.

After the car accident I was terrified to get behind the wheel again. I had constant fear that if I drove I would hurt someone, just as I put my brother’s life at risk. Due to this experience I believe that I am a better driver and I am more aware of my surroundings, however I wish I could have come to this realization without having to experience a car accident. I ended up taking a driving safety course after the accident and it helped me tremendously. I learned so many things that I should have known prior to getting my drivers license but I am glad that I still had the opportunity to learn.

I believe that I am now more focused on my surroundings which has made me a better driver. I try my best to minimize the distractions in my car to avoid being put in danger on the road. The most I can do to provide more safety on the road is drive responsibly. Cars are weapons not toys and most people do not come to this realization until it is too late. Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most important aspects in driving. Informing teenagers and requiring them to participate in drivers education will be very beneficial in keeping the roads safe. Overall thousands of people die a year from car accidents which makes it so important to take safety precautions when it comes to driving, especially when you are young and have very little experience.