“In the Driver’s Seat”

April 8, 2022, was the date I passed my written drivers test and was awarded my permit. Shortly after, during the summer, I completed the Joshua’s Law course to get my license by 16 years old. That course taught me many valuable lessons, ranging from driving tips and techniques to distractions that could strip the focus of the driver. In Georgia, the Joshua’s Law course is required to obtain a driver’s license by 16 years of age. Merely 5 ½ years after the legal implementation of the course, the fatality rate of teen drivers dropped by 36.8%! This shows that even the simplest tutoring could save thousands of lives. Educating drivers on proper and safe ways to drive a motor vehicle can save not only the driver’s life, but also the passengers and the lives of others on the road. Exposing young drivers to the risks of driving such as speeding and being distracted by passengers will allow teens to really think about their actions and weigh the pros and cons of doing something negligent, which in turn reduces the number of casualties on the road. In addition, teaching defensive driving techniques will encourage teens to pay more attention while on the road and be able to maneuver their way out of unforeseen situations that may occur whilst driving.

As I stated before, Georgia implemented Joshua’s Law as a requirement by law to complete in order to obtain a license by 16 years old. This to me was a great addition to driver safety because it requires teens to learn about driving and the risks associated with such tasks. In addition, I believe that administering another, more rigorous written exam is crucial to obtaining the utmost responsibility from teens. Even though to get a permit a written exam is required, I feel as though that exam is a bit facile. I think that along with the actual driver’s test, a more in-depth exam should also be administered. This would not only test to see if the teen remembers what was on the previous permit written exam, but with the increase in difficulty, will make the teens think a bit more extensively and critically about the act of driving and the consequences of illegal actions. On average, a student in high school with a 3.0 or higher GPA is observed to have fewer behavioral issues than students with less than 3.0 GPA. If in school a student is obtaining medium to high grades, the student demonstrates that they are responsible, timely, and smart in decision-making when compared to the students that are obtaining lower grades. Due to the characteristics of scholars with a 3.0 or higher GPA, I believe a GPA requirement of at least a 3.0 should be considered when obtaining a license. I believe that with a permit, a 3.0 should not be required, but when a teen is the sole driver of the vehicle with no adult supervision, I think that responsibility should be given to teens who demonstrate academic and behavioral success in school, as they are assumed to be more responsible and thoughtful when making decisions. Not only will this keep our roads safer, but it will also encourage students who have less than a 3.0 GPA to try harder in school so that they can also acquire their license.

During one winter night last year, I was driving home from volleyball practice when one of the lights went out of power. The lights started blinking red and I remembered that when this happens, you treat the light as a stop sign. So, as an educated driver, I slowed down and came to a full stop. Right as I came to a stop, I felt a thud from the back of my car and jerked forward causing my seatbelt to tighten. That is the first time I felt whiplash. Just as I realized what happened, I saw the car that rear ended me speed off. I was involved in a hit and run and I, just getting my license, was scared and panicking. The driver was on his phone, so he was distracted while driving, and as a result, hit my car and sped off to flee the scene. The takeaway from that event was that casualties on the road will not always be your fault. In many instances it isn’t your fault at all, but a result of negligence by a driver near you. The best thing to do is to remain calm and move your vehicle to a safe space and call the authorities.

I have had a lot of experience driving, as we have taken a road trip across the United States and my father and I shared the role of driver. In all honesty, I sprung forward at any chance to drive because not only do I enjoy it, but I learn something new every time I get behind the wheel. That can range from finding a new way to check a blind spot or figuring out which rear-view mirror setting works best for me. The best advice I could give to new drivers is to stay calm and not panic. When it is your first time hitting the road, being nervous is human nature. After a while of continuous driving, you will get used to your car and driving in general. The more experience you gain, the better driver you will become. In the end, driving, no matter how safe and responsible you are, is a dangerous game. Being educated in how your car operates and the rules of the road is the biggest thing that can save you from a life-threatening incident.