Closer Than We Think

In Mexico, unsafe driving is often seen as routine. I remember sleeping in the back of my grandparents’ truck during long road trips, not wearing a seatbelt. The belts were always fastened—just not around us. They were buckled behind our backs to silence the car’s alarm.

Back then, it didn’t seem dangerous. It felt normal.

But it wasn’t. It never is.

Teen driver safety is a serious public issue because the people behind the wheel are still learning. They’re still developing judgment, still balancing the pressure of independence, peers, and the rush of new freedom. Every year, thousands of young people are injured or killed in preventable car crashes. Too often, the victims are our classmates, our friends, or someone just like us.

One of my older cousins, someone I always saw as charismatic and full of life, was involved in a crash that killed his passenger and injured others. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, nor was his friend. Audio files of the moments before the crash circulated through our family’s group chat, with his voice slurred from alcohol as he begged for money to buy beer. It shocked me. The incident didn’t just stain our family’s reputation—it reshaped how I understood what it means to be a safe driver.

Teens face unique challenges when they get behind the wheel: distractions from phones, peer pressure, lack of experience, and overconfidence. We might feel invincible, but we’re not. I’ve seen accidents happen right in front of me—at intersections by my school, caused by just a second of hesitation or a quick glance at a phone. These accidents aren’t rare. They’re common, and they happen in our own neighborhoods.

Driver’s education has the potential to make a difference, but it needs to go beyond the basics. Schools should use the platforms teens engage with the most, like social media, to spread awareness. A short video, a real story from a local student, or even a post about a nearby crash can shift someone’s mindset. Teens aren’t always moved by statistics, but they do pay attention to people their age who look and live like them.

Schools can do more than host a one-time assembly. They could offer peer-led safe driving clubs, bring in emergency responders to speak, or regularly share reminders and resources. Communities can help too—by lowering speed limits in school zones, investing in safer intersections, and offering free or low-cost driving courses to families with limited income.

Most importantly, we as teens need to hold each other accountable. We need to speak up when someone is driving recklessly. We need to resist the urge to check our phones at every red light. And we need to understand that a car is not just a convenience—it’s a responsibility.

My cousin’s crash changed the way I view driving. It made me realize how fragile life is, and how fast things can fall apart when we take safety for granted. I no longer see unsafe driving as just careless. I see it as dangerous and heartbreaking.

The truth is, you won’t always feel the impact of a crash until it’s too late. But if we start now, by making safety a daily habit, by supporting each other, and by refusing to let our guard down we can help save lives. We can change the culture before another story like mine repeats itself.