Freedom at your own risk

I think every teen craves the feeling that comes with a pair of car keys. We as teens want to know what that freedom, control, and independence that comes with getting behind the wheel feels like. I think we have all, at some point, wanted to be adults before our time. Some of us dressed up as our parents and tried to mimic them, but for some reason, driving stood out the most. Maybe it’s because it seemed like the coolest, most grown-up thing someone could do. I remember my dad putting me on his lap and letting me move the steering wheel, pretending that I was controlling the car. I’d look out the window and imagine all the places I’d go one day, all the things I’d finally get to do once I had my own car. Back then, it felt like nothing could go wrong on the road. It seemed simple: stop at red, go at green. But at the age of six, I didn’t realize how much I didn’t understand. I didn’t see the weight of responsibility behind the wheel, the split-second decisions, or how dangerous it can get when even one thing goes wrong. I thought driving meant freedom. I didn’t know it also meant risking my life. And while I like to say that I only have to worry about my own choices, I also have to worry about everybody else on the road.

I hated driver’s education. I thought it was pointless. I mean, stop at red and go at green, pay attention to signs and signals… simple, right? Why would I ever need a whole class about something so basic? That’s what I kept telling myself. But I quickly learned it wasn’t that simple at all. I started doing my driver’s ed online, and at first, I planned to just skip through the lessons that didn’t seem important. Something shifted my mindset. I’m still not sure what happened, but I’m thankful it happened. I decided to restart all the lessons and actually pay attention. That’s when I realized just how much I had ignored. Some of the lessons felt like common sense, but others showed me how truly unprepared I was. Driver’s ed taught me to be aware, stay calm, and always stay focused. It also taught me the basics and the more complicated parts like checking mirrors, watching blind spots, and understanding how quickly things can go wrong. Most importantly, it taught me that it’s better to be safe than to be sorry or even dead. Teen driver safety is a public issue because we’re new to driving and lack the experience. Driver’s education gave me the reassurance to be more prepared and not doubt myself and hesitate as well as keeping myself and others safe on the road.

One of the biggest challenges we face as new drivers is our phones. We like to tell ourselves “it might be an emergency” or “it’ll only take a second,” but that second can change everything. Texting, checking social media, or even just switching songs pulls our attention from the road, and we don’t realize how fast things can go wrong. Phones are a huge temptation, and even quick distractions can have serious, life-changing consequences. Something I started doing to help with that was turning on my iPhone’s “driving Focus” mode. It sends automatic replies when someone texts me and lets emergency calls come through using Bluetooth, so I don’t have to touch my phone at all. Another challenge is peer pressure. I remember being in the car with a friend when her boyfriend pulled up next to us and tried to get her to race him. She gave in, and for a second it felt fun. Then traffic came to a sudden stop. Luckily, nothing happened, but it easily could have. It made me realize how fast a moment of fun can turn dangerous. When we’re pressured to speed, race, or break the rules, it gets harder to think clearly and make safe choices. Honestly, I think if a teen isn’t mature enough yet, they shouldn’t be driving alone. Teens also need to be taught how to say no. I’d rather be called scared than end up hurt or worse. A lot of us also don’t realize how little experience we really have. We think nothing bad will happen, but the truth is, we just don’t know enough yet to handle every situation on the road.

Technology isn’t always a bad thing. A great example of this is the Life360 app. At first, we got it because my brother had just started driving. I didn’t mind it back then, since I wasn’t the one behind the wheel. In fact, I kind of liked it because it would get him in trouble. But once I started driving, I hated the idea of being watched. I thought driving was supposed to be about freedom and independence. Eventually, though, I got over that feeling and now I realize it’s actually helped me and even my friends. The app tells my parents if I’m speeding, if I brake too hard, use my phone while driving, or accelerate too quickly. That accountability has made me more cautious. And it doesn’t just affect me when my friends are driving our group, they know my parents are probably checking our speed, so they drive more carefully too. Most of them don’t even mind. They usually just smile when I give them a heads-up, and we all end up being safer because of it.

I remember in my health class, we watched a video about the aftermath of a car crash. I can’t remember the woman’s name, but I remember her story. She was a senior with college offers lined up and a bright future ahead of her—but everything changed when she was hit by a drunk driver. She had to go through multiple surgeries and would never be the same. Her future was gone in seconds. That story stayed with me, and it showed me just how serious driving really is. I think schools should show more videos like real stories that we teens can connect with emotionally. It hits harder than reading statistics from a textbook. It makes it real. Communities can also bring in guest speakers, like crash survivors or parents who’ve lost children, to speak at schools and driving programs. Hearing someone’s firsthand experience can open eyes in a way books couldn’t.

To truly promote safer driving among young people, teens need education that goes beyond just memorizing rules. We need something emotional and real. Schools should invest in relatable lessons and personal survivor stories instead of just showing numbers on a screen that we’ll forget the moment we walk out of class. Communities can help by creating opportunities for guest speakers, people who’ve survived crashes or lost someone to share their experiences. Technology like Life360 can be a powerful tool for accountability when used the right way. And most importantly, teens must take responsibility by putting away our phones, resisting peer pressure, and understanding that driving isn’t just about freedom it’s about protecting lives, including our own.