Vanishing Freedom: The Urgent need for Education.

Every year, more than 30,000 people die in car accidents across the United States. These are not numbers- they represent sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends. Every accident that involves a teenager is not just a statistic, but a life that has changed forever. An accident that could have been prevented, and it’s up to us to take action to prevent it.

As someone who faced the same roadblocks, I am thankful for the education. Teen drivers, often just stepping into adulthood, make up a significant portion of these tragedies. A significant loss can alter and have a major influence on how they drive. I strongly believe that many of these deaths are preventable—an issue that deserves urgent attention. And at the heart of the solution lies a lack of education, the very tool that can empower us to prevent these tragedies.

Drivers’ education is more than just learning how to parallel park or drive around in the local streets. It is about giving the younger generation tools, awareness, and a mindset needed to make responsible decisions.

When a teenager is handed keys to a car, they are not only entrusted with a vehicle but also their life and potentially the lives of others. The question is not whether teens should be allowed to drive but rather whether they are getting a proper foundation of responsibility in driving?

Teens today face more road-related risks than ever before. Distractions from phones and social media, combined with peer pressure and a lack of experience, create the perfect storm for accidents.

Many young drivers need to navigate or on many occasisions balance a stressful life that can impact a stressful situation behind the wheel. They may not know how to react when emotions are high, when friends are pressuring them to speed, or when a notification pulls their attention away from the road for just a split second. And often, that’s all it takes.

However, all dangers can be addressed with a proper foundation that seeks understanding. A strong driver’s education program must do more than show the rules of the world. A strong education program must emphasize consequences, bring in powerful testimonials from real life experiences, and help internalize that driving is freedom. However, that freedom can easily vanish. With the right education, young drivers can gain confidence, maturity, and critical thinking skills that may allow them to make safe decisions.

I have personally experienced this. As a former teen driver, I know how easy it is to get distracted. I remember when I was pressured to do something. I never felt comfortable. But through education, mentoring, and personal growth, I came to recognize how serious driving truly is. As previously mentioned: driving gives freedom, but that freedom can always fade away at any moment.

One moment that changed me forever was the death of a close family friend. I considered him as a brother. His impact devastated my family. He was only twenty-three years old when he died in a car crash. Distracted and going through a personal crisis, he made a series of impulsive decisions that ended in tragedy. I was only twelve or thirteen at the time, but the impact was unforgettable. His loss didn’t just shake my family—it opened my eyes to the brutal reality that freedom can vanish in an instant. One wrong turn, one second of distraction, one emotional lapse—sometimes that’s all it takes.

That loss became a lifelong lesson.

A loss that taught me that from point A to point B is not about your life but those around you. The mindset shifted as it became about reflection and education. It is what every teen deserves to experience before they are given freedom.

Even car insurance companies recognize this sad reality. There is a reason why rates for young drivers are high until the driver turns twenty-five. The age when most individuals have developed and graps with the meaning of responsibility and judgement. However, we should not be waiting for someone to turn twenty-five to install good driving habits. The time to shape those habits is before the first solo drive and with comprehensive education.

The next question should be: What can society do?

Simple. Schools needs to make driver’s education accessible, be engaging and emotionaly relatable. Real-world simulations, video testimonials, and peer discussions can create meaningful learning experiences.

Communities can offer driving campaigns or youth-led initiatives. Parents must model the behavior they expect, talking openly about safe habits and setting clear expectations. And most importantly, teens should feel empowered to hold each other accountable—to speak up, to stay focused, and to drive with intention. It’s a collective effort, and together, we can make a difference.

This issue of teen driving is not just a sad statistic but an urgent health issue, a community concern, and for many of us a personal story.

Through education, awareness, and accountability, the narrative can change. We can save lives.

i will continue promoting safe driving behaviors and sharing the importance of education in teen driver safety. It’s about helping create a safer, more informed generation of drivers who understand that with every mile driven comes a choice: one that can protect a life… or change it forever.