The little turtle

Teen driver safety is a real issue that affects everyone, not just young people. The road is a shared space, and when someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, or thinks they’re invincible, it can go wrong fast. Teen drivers are still learning. A lot of us don’t have much experience, and there are so many distractions out there now. This is why drivers’ education is so important. It helps give people a foundation, not just on the technical stuff like parking or reading signs, but on how to be calm, confident, and aware behind the wheel.

I’ve had my license for a while, but I only recently started driving regularly, and I’ll be honest, it’s been scary. I still get nervous when I drive. I overthink things. I’ve had to remind myself not to rush and not to let other people make me feel like I have to go faster or do something I’m not ready for. One thing that’s helped me is leaving early enough so I don’t feel pressured. If someone is riding too close behind me, I just tell myself, “They can go around. I’m going to get there when I get there.” Driving is something I’m still getting comfortable with, and that’s okay. Everyone learns at their own pace, and I’ve learned it’s way better to drive with patience than to try and prove anything.

One of the biggest challenges for teen drivers right now is distractions, phones, music, friends in the car. It’s so easy to lose focus, and the scary part is, it only takes one second. There’s also peer pressure, like when people encourage you to speed, or take a shortcut, or turn up the music too loud. Even if it’s not on purpose, those things make it harder to focus. I’ve seen how this plays out in real life too. One of my closest friends got into a golf cart accident because she didn’t brake properly. She’s okay now, but she still has a few scars from it. That moment stuck with me, not because it was a huge, dramatic accident, but because it happened so fast and could’ve been so much worse. It reminded me how important it is to be present and aware, even when you think everything’s under control.

My mom has also been in a few minor accidents back home in the Dominican Republic. Driving there is a whole different world. People are careless and aggressive. Rules barely exist, and even when they do, no one follows them. They say if you can drive in the Dominican Republic, you can drive anywhere, and I get it now. People drive defensively, not in a protective way, but in a way that almost puts everyone on edge. There’s no signaling, no patience, and the police often don’t help. It taught me early on that having rules and structure is a privilege, and when drivers ignore that, things get dangerous really quick. It’s made me appreciate how lucky I am to be learning in a place where safety is enforced.

When it comes to promoting safer driving, I think everyone has a role. Teen drivers need to be honest with themselves. If you don’t feel ready, it’s okay to take it slow. When I was learning how to drive in the Dominican Republic my dad gave me the nickname of little turtle because I was going so slow, I didn’t let it affect me and I drove at the speed I felt confident at in the moment. Don’t let pride or pressure put you, or anyone else, in danger. For schools, I think driver’s ed should go beyond the basics. There should be more open conversations about anxiety, what to do when you panic, how to set boundaries with people in your car. Real stuff, not just rules on paper. And in communities, we need more safe spaces for teens to practice driving, more affordable classes, and more people sharing their real experiences, so new drivers don’t feel like they’re alone in the struggle. Parents can help too, just by being more patient. I know it can be scary for them too, but yelling or criticizing doesn’t help us feel confident, it makes it worse.

Driving isn’t just a skill, it’s a responsibility. And honestly, it’s okay to be nervous. I am. But the more I drive, the more I learn that being a “good driver” isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about staying calm, being patient, and making choices that keep everyone safe. Whether that means pulling over to breathe, ignoring someone honking at you, or choosing not to check your phone until you’re parked, those small decisions matter. I’m still growing into being the kind of driver I want to be, and I know a lot of teens are right there with me. We just need the space, support, and time to figure it out.