Navigating Responsibility: Promoting Safe Driving Among Teenagers

The CDC reports that roughly 112 car accident fatalities occur every day in the U.S. The leading cause of car accidents is reckless driving among teenagers and young adults. Teens, as they step into the responsibilities of driving a car, are more susceptible to reckless driving due to inexperience and their risk-taking behavior. Teen driving safety is a critical issue for the public, as their behaviors and lack of knowledge may be fatal. However, driver education highlights the importance of safe driving techniques and driving knowledge.

Driver’s education is a tool to teach and warn about the dangers of the road. Nevertheless, law enforcement ensures the safety of the drivers as they fight to prevent harm. However, law enforcement shouldn’t be the only group that helps. As a community, a person behind the wheel is responsible for the safety of others. If a person sees a car swerving back and forth between two lanes, they must be able to alert law enforcement before a potential fatality.

Teen drivers are at their most vulnerable stage of their lives. They go through a discovery phase where teens explore their morals and values. Teens may get distracted behind the wheel due to peer pressure and distractions. Teenagers are at an impressionable age where the opinions of their friends are more important than their safety. They may compromise other people’s safety because they’re friends pressure a teen into breaking the law, such as speeding. Teenage peers may encourage distractions by loud music and distracting socialization. Teen drivers may not notice oncoming traffic while they are engaging with their peers.

Teenagers aren’t the only age group that breaks the law for their convenience. Working families, such as single mothers, may exceed the speed limit due to work or school. My parent nearly collided with another car because the person decided to weave from the right lane into the left side, with a double line separating the two pathways. People’s lives and safety will be compromised when a person speeds ten miles over the speed limit to save ten minutes of driving. Public knowledge is a must when drivers ignore the rules of the road for their convenience.

Teens may be the main age group that is more susceptible to reckless driving. However, every driver must install safe driving habits to serve as a role model for future drivers. Driving habits are learned and taught by the adults they admire. The actions of adults are normalized by young drivers because they have witnessed and learned their unsafe driving techniques. My parent had a problem speeding and weaving in and out of forbidden lanes. I learned that driving over the posted limit was normal. Therefore, I was shocked when I realized that people may get arrested for driving at the posted limit, let alone driving over the limit. I realized that if I didn’t take driver’s education, I would’ve inherited my family member’s unsafe driving techniques. Driver’s education contributed to my education of the road.

Teens are at an age where they are learning and grasping concepts from the people around them. Communities, guardians, and educators contribute to their habits. Schools may enforce rules such as crossing the road and looking both ways for oncoming cars. Cross guards on duty will help direct cars and students safely. Parents and guardians play a major role in their child’s perception of safe behaviors and skills. They can stop dangerous behaviors, such as stopping in the middle of the road to pick up their child, and set a good example as their role models. Educators and school systems may contribute with safety presentations, announcements, alerts, and activities that contribute to safe driving. These opportunities may help students to ensure safety and education about safe and unsafe driving.

Teenagers are the future generation that carries the teachings the people in their lives tell them. These lessons and the people around them will impact teenagers as they mature into adulthood. As teenagers, we are responsible for the lessons instilled in us. Ultimately, we are responsible for our actions. We can limit distractions in the car by lowering or stopping the music in the car. Items that obstruct the driver’s view can be limited or entirely removed for safety. As a driver, teenagers need to stay away from unsafe substances such as alcohol. Driving under the influence is an action that will impact everyone around them, including strangers in the crossfire of driving under the influence. With the help of their friends, family, teachers, and communities, our future generation will be filled with fewer harmful accidents and severely shortened lives.