Take it from Me – I’m an EMT

Being a teenager is a wonderful time in life, illuminated by a sense of personal responsibility and freedom which many crave, however this often leads to a feeling of invincibility. Elenor Roosevelt encapsulated the dangerous nature associated with this period when she said, “today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again”. These words perfectly capture the intersection of maturity’s illusion and the inexperience of youth; the fear of a story cut short.

Teenagers need guidance on how to form good habits, maintain safe standards, and protect themselves and others on the road. Receiving a proper driver’s education is critical, and safety must be the priority. It shouldn’t focus on scaring teens – it’s more important that we meet them where they are. Programs need to be tailored to the needs of the communities.

Understanding the needs of individual drivers will allow educators to build programs around them. For example, drivers in agricultural areas will become familiar with different roads and conditions than those in the cities. In communities which experience higher rates of drug and alcohol use, special courses can be given to educate these populations about the dangers associated with driving under the influence. And in areas that require longer commutes across the highway, attention should be paid to driver fatigue and distraction.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over 3,048 teenagers died in 2023 due to motor vehicle accidents. Too many fewer names were called at graduation. Thousands of funerals were attended by students who should have been studying. 3,048 obituaries were written that year by grieving parents (IIHS).

What can be done to prevent these losses? Teenagers face a multitude of challenges, especially in this digital age. Teenagers especially use their phones to listen to music, talk to their friends and GPS their routes. It’s almost become an essential part of driving, to communicate our arrival and find our way around, it’s hard to live without it! For this reason, driver’s education needs a special component which will teach safe cell phone use.

Another challenge teens face while driving is anxiety. Such a big responsibility can be frightening, and it comes with many risks. The best thing to do is take a deep breath and relax. Pay attention to the cars and road signs around you. Slow down if you feel like you’re going too fast: pull over if you need to recompose yourself. Teenagerhood comes with a feeling of invulnerability, we think we can drive fast and take risks, but it’s a fleeting feeling. Getting experience takes time, and there’s no need to rush it.

I became an EMT at age 19, still a teenager myself. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of responding to motor vehicle accidents that get reported on websites like the IIHS. There’s a saying among my higher ups, that people don’t “rise to the challenge, we fall back on our training”. This highlights both the importance of proper driver’s education, and the kind of preparation it takes to respond to them.

In 2022 I responded to an 2 car accident on the highway. It was late at night, clear skies, and I remember every detail. A drunk driver had gotten on the wrong side of the highway, and a young girl, 18 years old, was driving home from a date. There’s another thing we like to say in my field, “don’t meet me like this”. The outcomes were bad; it was unfortunate to witness. My patient didn’t survive. The saddest thing is knowing that her accident could have been prevented.

If you are drinking and want to drive, the only thing you can do is wait until you become sober again. If your friends are drinking and one of them is wanting to drive, try to talk them out of it. It is ok to call 911. We’d rather come talk to you at your house than meet you on the highway. All we really care about is your safety and well-being, so we won’t let you do something that might ruin your future.

The consequences of reckless driving can be deadly, but every driver has the power to prevent accidents before they happen. Pay attention to speed limit signs and follow them. Use your turn signal so that others can tell where you are going. Stay in the slow lane unless you are passing. It is easy to be a good driver when that is your goal. And it should be your goal – your life is not the only one out there that matters.

Communities and schools should continue to fund campaigns to promote driver safety. Education is key to preventing accidents. Teenagers feel mature and ready to rule the world, and with proper education, communities can equip them to make smart and cautious decisions out on the road. In my 4 years of EMT experience, I’ve seen what happens when people drive without care or caution. Don’t be one of those people; please don’t meet me like that.