Our Teens: Making Driving Safer Together

Teen driver safety is an important public issue because young drivers, especially those between the ages of 15 and 18, are involved in a high number of car accidents. Sadly, traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teenagers. In 2023 alone, over 2,600 people died in crashes involving teen drivers, including more than 800 teen drivers themselves. These accidents also have a huge financial impact each year. I believe this high risk comes from several things that are specific to teen drivers, like having limited driving experience, being more likely to take risks, and getting easily distracted by phones or friends. Teens are also less likely to wear seatbelts and more likely to crash at night or on weekends, which adds to the danger. On top of that, many teens are very influenced by their friends’ opinions and may try dangerous stunts or reckless driving just to show off and look cool in front of their peers. This kind of pressure can push them to make poor decisions that put everyone in the car, and on the road, at risk.

Driver’s education plays a big role in reducing these risks. It helps everyone learn the rules of the road and how to drive safely. More importantly, it teaches us why dangerous habits like texting while driving or speeding can be so harmful. Getting real practice with an instructor or a parent builds confidence and helps develop good habits, like always wearing a seatbelt and staying alert. I believe driver’s ed is not just about passing the test but also about learning how to make smart choices behind the wheel. Showing teens real videos of people, especially other teenagers, who made poor driving decisions that resulted in serious injuries or death should be a required part of the curriculum. Seeing the real-life consequences can make the risks feel more personal and help teens take driving seriously. Studies show that teens who take driver’s education are less likely to get into accidents or get traffic tickets, which proves how valuable it really is.

There are a lot of challenges that teen drivers face today. One of the biggest ones is simply not having enough experience. Without much time behind the wheel, it’s hard to know how to react in different situations. Distractions are another major issue. Phones are everywhere, and it’s tempting to check a message or change the song while driving, but that can be extremely dangerous. I’ve seen friends do this, and even though nothing bad happened, it was clear how quickly something could have gone wrong. Peer pressure is another challenge. Sometimes teens feel like they have to drive a certain way to impress their friends, like going faster than they should or driving with too many passengers. On top of that, driving at night or when tired makes it even harder to stay focused.

To overcome these challenges, teens need more practice and support, and I also believe the U.S. should seriously reconsider the age at which teens are allowed to drive. At 16, many teens are still developing emotionally and mentally. Studies show that the human brain, especially the parts responsible for decision-making and handling stress, doesn’t fully mature until the mid-20s. This means that when a stressful or unexpected situation happens on the road, a 16-year-old might not react as quickly or calmly as an adult would. By raising the minimum driving age to at least 18, we could give teens more time to mature and gain experience under supervision. While practice and education are helpful, age and brain development play a huge role in how safely someone drives. Combining more supervised practice with a higher legal driving age could lead to fewer accidents and better long-term driving habits.

One personal experience that really made me realize how important safe driving habits are for teens happened when I was driving down a road with two lanes. One lane for moving traffic and one used for parking. I was going at a normal speed when suddenly the car in front of me just stopped out of nowhere and started backing up straight toward me. I quickly signaled and tried to get their attention, but they didn’t notice or respond at all. I had no choice but to back up to avoid getting hit. Luckily, there was no one behind me, or things could’ve ended badly. Once the car finished parking, I drove by and saw that it was a very young girl driving, and she had another young friend in the passenger seat. It was clear that she was trying to parallel park but wasn’t paying attention to traffic around her and didn’t seem to care about the danger she was creating for others. That moment really showed me how important it is for teen drivers to stay aware of their surroundings, communicate properly on the road, and think about how their actions affect other people. Driving isn’t just about moving a car, it’s about being responsible for everyone’s safety, and not only the people in your car but also other people in other cars.

Promoting safer driving among young people requires a combined effort from teens, their schools, and the wider community. Teens need to take responsibility by consistently practicing safe driving habits like always wearing seatbelts, obeying speed limits, and never driving under the influence. One of the most important things for teens is to avoid distractions—this means putting their phones out of reach and resisting the urge to text or use social media while driving. Teens should also seek out different supervised driving experiences to build their confidence and skills. They need to feel empowered to speak up and refuse rides from impaired or reckless drivers and have pre-arranged plans with parents when necessary. Being a good role model by making safe driving choices can also help create a culture where safety is valued among peers. It’s important to recognize that teens are often more influenced by the most popular kid in school or a social media influencer than by adults talking about safe driving, so involving those peers in promoting safety messages can be much more effective.

Schools and communities have just as big a role to play. Schools should provide strong driver’s education programs that go beyond basic rules, teaching defensive driving and raising awareness about the dangers of distracted or impaired driving. They can reinforce these lessons through safety campaigns and events. Communities should support and enforce Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, which give new drivers a structured learning process. They should also run public awareness campaigns aimed at teens and parents, make driver’s education accessible and affordable, and ensure laws are enforced consistently to discourage risky driving. Lastly, giving parents tools and resources to guide and monitor their teens’ driving can make a big difference in promoting safer roads for everyone.