Teen Driver Safety: Public Concern and the Role of Driver’s Education

It was 2 a.m. when the phone rang and my mom’s heart just sank. She jumped out of bed and answered, her voice super quiet.

“Hello, Jennifer?”

“Yes?”

“This is Officer ___ from the Cherry Hill PD. We have your friend Cheryl with us.”

My mom shot up, wide awake, asking, “Is she okay? What happened?”

The officer explained that they found her sleeping in her car at a red light and that she was under the influence. She wanted my mom to come pick her up. Without a second thought, my mom got dressed and rushed to the station.

In short, Cheryl had gone out that night and thought it would be fine to drive herself home instead of calling for an Uber. That decision really cost her—her driver’s license, a lot of money in legal fees, insurance hikes, and a lot of embarrassment. She had to have an Ignition Interlocking Device installed for a minimum of 6 months and was required to attend AA classes. Thankfully, nobody got hurt. But now her story is a warning in our family: never drink and drive. Just one bad choice can completely change everything.

This real-life experience, while involving an adult, mirrors the risks and challenges teen drivers face every day.Teen driver safety is very important since car accidents are one of the leading causes of death for young people. Teens are often just getting used to driving. They don’t have the same judgment or experience that older drivers do. This is why education is so key for keeping them…and everyone else on the road…safe.

Driver’s ed is more than just learning to steer or signal. It’s about forming good habits and realizing the weight of being behind the wheel. Through classes and practice, teens not only learn how to drive but also how to spot dangers, follow the rules, and think clearly under pressure. They start to understand that safety isn’t optional—it’s a must.

Today’s teen drivers face some pretty tough challenges. Distractions, especially from phones, are a huge issue. Just a quick look at a text can be the difference between a safe trip and a nasty accident. And there’s peer pressure, too. Teens might feel they need to speed, show off, or pack too many friends in the car even if it’s not safe or legal. Plus, many just don’t have enough real-world driving experience, so they might not know how to deal with sudden challenges like bad weather or other aggressive drivers.

To tackle these challenges, we need education, support, and accountability. Teens should start taking responsibility—like not using their phone when driving, never driving while impaired, and speaking up when they feel unsafe. Parents should set a good example and lay down some clear rules. Schools could boost driver’s ed programs, bring in guest speakers such as local law enforcement and first responders and also accident survivors, and host events to show just how serious unsafe driving can be.

Communities have a part to play too. Police should enforce graduated license laws that cap passenger numbers and night driving for new drivers. Peers need to make it cool to not drive distracted, for example, everyone puts their phones in the glove compartment. Passengers, not just the driver, should be held accountable if they are found to be ‘sardined’ in a car. They should be issued tickets just as the driver would.

Towns can offer safe ride services, especially during prom and graduation time. Local businesses could run campaigns to raise awareness or even reward safe driving habits among young people.

For two years, our town had an amazing program called the Evesham Saving Lives Program. It offered free rides home from local bars and restaurants from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The idea was to cut down on drunk driving accidents, help out local businesses by keeping people in town spending their money, and get people to make better choices by giving them a safe, free ride home. Bartenders encouraged and even helped people call Ubers, they made it easy to use. While the program was running, the local police noticed a drop in DUI arrests and alcohol-related accidents. Sadly, it’s not around anymore.

That late-night call could have ended in a really bad way, but luckily it didn’t. Cheryl’s story reminds me that driving safely isn’t just about you—it’s about everyone else on the road, too. As a teen gearing to head back to college in the fall, I understand that driving is a privilege and comes with a big responsibility. With solid education and reinforcement, support from our schools and communities, and a real commitment to safety, young drivers can make choices that save lives.