eyes on the road

According to statistics teens around 16-19 years old have a higher rate of car accidents than adults. This is due to teens not having as much experience behind the wheel as adults. When teens get into a car accident they mainly occur during late nights or on the weekends, teens are most likely to engage in high risk behavior during these specific times. For example, driving under the influence or driving while distracted. This is why teen driver safety is an important public issue. Teens reckless driving involves more than just the driver alone but causes others safety around them and the public cost of emergency response, medical care, and property damage. The role of public driving education plays a vital preventative role to the young drivers with the knowledge, skills, and mindset that is needed to be safe on the roads. There are ads that promote defensive driving, teens learn how to anticipate and react to potential hazards which helps reduce risky behavior and prevent accidents. While this may not stop all teens from reckless driving, it is a foundational tool in reducing teen crashes.

Some of the biggest challenges teen drivers face is phone distraction, peer pressure, overconfidence, and seatbelt use. The number one cause of teen accidents is phone distraction, taking your hands and eyes off the road can cause an accident in just 2-3 seconds. To overcome this challenge it is recommended teens drive with their phone on silent so they won’t be distracted by who’s texting or calling their cell phone. Coming to a complete stop is the safest option on checking the phone incase of an emergency. Another challenge teens are facing is being peer pressured by others, whether that be other friends or other drivers. For example racing, drinking, or being on the phone. Driving with friends can become frustrating because they may pressure the driver into speeding up or encourage risky behavior. As for the other drivers ,who have more experience in driving, they may be speeding up and cause the teen driver into speeding as well to prevent any road rage. Which could still end up causing a collision in the end. How teens can overcome this challenge is to choose the right friends to drive with, those who understand the safety when it comes to driving. Letting the driver focus on the road and follow the rules on the road as going the speed limit, seatbelt, and driving safely. When it comes to other drivers peer pressuring the driver it is best that teens just focus on what is in front of them and doing what is right. For example, dealing with a driver who is speeding simply move to the other lane and focus on your own driving.

A personal experience of mine is passing a yellow light. December 9th, 2024 was the day I was in my first car accident alone. I was coming home from work going the exact speed limit then I came across a yellow light. Seeing the cars ahead of me speed up and make it, I decided to speed up as well. However, I wasn’t the only one who decided to go for it. A van coming my way decided to turn on the yellow thinking everyone would stop but I didn’t … which caused a collision. Thankfully in both vehicles it was just us drivers. My car, a small 2006 white car was completely smashed from the front, the left door was smashed in which caused me to struggle to get out. As soon as I managed to get out I saw my car completely totaled, a few hours go by there was nothing that could be done to save my car as it was no longer driverable. Once my car was towed away I was taken to the hospital by my mom. My lips were busted and I have severe burns on my left hand due to the air bag off. I had bruises all across my chest and marks on my neck because of the seatbelt. Both of my knees were severely bruised but mainly the left one causing it to hurt when I walk. The left part of my body was mainly injured due to being hit on the left side. A lot can happen even if it is just a yellow light. I lost my first car and lots of money. The highlight of safe driving is don’t be influenced by other drivers. When looking at a yellow light we need to remember green means go, yellow means slow down, and red is to stop.

A specific action teens can do is influence other teens on safe driving. For example, going out with other friends they can set an example by putting on the seatbelt, not using the phone while driving, and going the speed limit. Schools can promote safe driving during assemblies, while they have all the students’ attention they can discuss what may happen when not driving safely. Especially during highschool games or prom because those are the events most teens drive under the influence. As for communities they can work with the law enforcement and raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, and DUI. communities can offer driver education, as for some teens who have passed their drivers test many still feel scared and overwhelmed going on the roads by themselves. They can take these courses to have more practice and feel more confident while driving.