From Permit to Responsibility: How Education Promotes Teen Driver Safety

As a Pittsburgh native, I grew up surrounded by roads, hills, unpredictable weather, and challenging city traffic. Driving was always a known responsibility in my family, but once I hit my teen years and began learning to drive, it quickly became apparent to me how challenging it would be to not only travel the streets of Pittsburgh, but the long road trips between Pittsburgh and Morgan State University in Maryland.

Morgan State University is my school, and while I love being at school, the responsibility of travel has further cemented in my mind the importance of driving safely and with a sense of purpose. Whether I’m behind the wheel in the city or on the highway, I am aware at all times of how my driving affects not only my safety but the safety of those around me. It’s about getting home safely to Pittsburgh but also returning home safely to my school.

As with all states, a teen driver education is critical for instilling a sense of responsibility for driving. For example, in Pennsylvania, a teen driver must complete 65 hours of supervised driving and 10 of those hours must be done at night. I completed the required 65 hours. When I first drove on the highway, I remember being petrified and confused by all the cars around me. It was such an odd experience and an experience that I was completely unprepared for in my parents’ car. Thankfully, my parents took me through all types of road conditions such as rain, snow, and fog, to make sure I would be prepared for any type of car mishap. That education becomes even more important when I need to travel long distances, such as between Pittsburgh and Maryland for Morgan State.

One of the most important aspects of driving education that teen drivers must master is driving in various weather conditions. As someone who travels between Pittsburgh and Morgan State, weather can and does present many issues with safety while driving. For example, rain, ice, or fog can often be present while traveling on either of my routes. The ability to drive safely through all conditions is an important skill that should be a part of driver’s education and something I am thankful I mastered. Driving through snow, rain, and fog is not just about mastering the skill of how to turn a wheel but about adapting to your driving conditions and paying attention to what is happening around you.

One of the most important hours I can remember putting in with my parents as a driver education teen was driving in the rain. I drive through rainy conditions often when driving home from Morgan State, and it is an essential part of my education in driving that I mastered early on.

Driving as a teen is filled with challenges that many teen drivers have to face. The first of those challenges is a lack of experience. I vividly remember being nervous behind the wheel, especially when it came to trying to learn more difficult maneuvers, like highways or navigating complicated intersections in the city. Driving between Pittsburgh and Morgan State University also required me to travel longer distances and driving on roads that were often more unfamiliar to me.

Another challenge that teen drivers face is a constant source of distraction. I am someone who has grown up with the constant stream of technology including a smartphone. The constant distractions of trying to text, take a call, or checking social media are always present for me. I know that this is not a viable solution to staying focused on the road, and after seeing the tragedy of accidents involving other teens like me, it is the worst idea. For example, in Pennsylvania, teens under the age of 18 are not allowed to use cell phones while driving. It’s good to know that I can put down a penalty for breaking the law. Every time I travel, whether it’s the long drive back home to Pittsburgh or even just the short trip to my next class, I make sure my phone is well out of reach of my hands so I do not give in to the temptation to check it while driving.

Another challenge that is out there in the world of driving for teens is the pressure to do more by friends or peers. I think that we all want to look cool for our friends. This can often lead to speeding or making unsafe decisions behind the wheel. Peer pressure can be a very real problem that I have seen around me. When it comes to driving, I’ve learned to set my boundaries for my friends because I know nothing is more important than the safety of my passengers and myself on the road.

The lessons that my parents have provided me in safe driving are almost too long to count. The lessons that I need to be safe on the road have not just been in my teenage years but are present today. I always remember one rainy day when my mom and I were driving home from the grocery store. The roads were slick and I didn’t feel like driving fast, but my mom was quick to remind me that I could drive slow and be safe, too. My parents have always encouraged me to focus on the safety of me and others on the road, not just getting to a destination. The idea that no place is worth it if you have to drive recklessly to get there is something that I will always hold onto. My dad is also another person who helped me tremendously when I was first learning how to drive. Since I have to travel between Pittsburgh and Morgan State, we have made many long road trips together. We have navigated highways together and he was always there for me to remind me about the adjustment to traffic and road conditions.

Driving safely when tired from a long day was also an important skill that he helped to teach me during those long drives. Having to travel back and forth between Pittsburgh and Morgan State has only increased the importance of those lessons from my parents. Whether it is during snow or rain or even just on the long drive home after a weekend, I know that the lessons from my parents are ones I value more and more with each passing day.

Promoting safe driving for teens has to be a joint effort between a teen driver and their support system. It is important for teens to take responsibility for themselves, which can be applied to distractions and driving under the influence. Teens can set their own rules and policies for themselves, like not texting and driving or not speeding. Schools have an important role to play as the continued education of driver’s education is essential. Driver’s education should also focus on distraction, peer pressure, and inclement weather. Schools can partner with community organizations and law enforcement to spread the message of safe driving, hosting seminars and campaigns that promote safe driving. The community can do their part by ensuring that our roads are well-paved with clear lighting and signage. Local government has a role in promoting passenger limits and imposing fines for driving while distracted. Creating community-based programs to help support the promotion of safe driving for teens is another important consideration.

I like many other teens have come to a personal relationship with safe driving and the responsibility it can entail. It is something that I have had to learn over time, both on the roads of Pittsburgh and driving between Pittsburgh and Morgan State University. Driving has not just become a skill but a responsibility for me that is more important than just getting to the next class. With driver’s education and the guidance of my parents, I have been able to navigate the challenges of a teen driver safely. It is up to myself, my family, my school, and my community to continue to work to ensure safety on the roads for everyone.