The Realities and Responsibilities of the Road

Driving should be regarded as both a privilege and a responsibility, essential for preventing road tragedies. Educating oneself on driving is crucial to reducing vehicular-related deaths. The CDC reports that teens aged 16-19 are at a higher risk of motor vehicle crashes than any other age group, with a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers aged twenty and older per mile driven. This is a concerning statistic for new drivers, but learning about vehicles and driving safety can significantly lower their risk of becoming part of it.

I remember many times throughout my high school years hearing news of a deceased or heavily injured classmate due to car accidents. For instance, I recall learning about a boy speeding around a corner and losing control flipping into a pasture. Or a girl distracted driving causing her to merge into oncoming traffic. Another incident I personally witnessed was a teen driving home from a party and injuring a family of four as well as an impatient driver whipping in front of our car causing them to over correct and flip into the medium. All these experiences painted a very negative image of driving in my young mind. I no longer viewed it as a fun opportunity one would someday get to be a part of, but as a scary death machine that could ruin lives.

Parents play a key role in instilling a positive and safe mindset in their teen drivers.  Young drivers often look up to older, more experienced drivers for guidance and affirmation. If you present yourself as an unsafe or uneducated driver, you contribute to these alarming statistics. Behaviors such as texting and driving, neglecting to wear a seat belt, and speeding are all noticed and often emulated by teen drivers. A young mind is highly impressionable. Terrified to get behind the wheel and potentially be on the receiving end of a traumatic event, I avoided driving for as long as my parents would let me. At last, my father urged me behind the wheel and slowly started to educate me. He walked me through the inner workings of my little Isuzu pick up and taught me how to manually shift and safely navigate roadways. Each time became a little easier and I grew more confident in my abilities.

Getting behind the wheel can be very daunting, starting small by simply learning the laws and safety measures in place for driving can be a great place to start. Exploring the inner workings of the engine and knowing what dashboard lights mean whenever they pop up can take a bit of anxiety away from driving. Learning to drive in a secluded and controlled environment will help a new driver significantly. Each vehicle has differing levels of power. You may need to hit the brakes harder in a Toyota Camry compared to a ford focus. The level at which the car takes off once the gas is engaged will differ as well so anytime the opportunity to drive a vehicle that is unfamiliar to you is always best to proceed with caution. Familiarizing yourself with your vehicle will help you gain confidence in your abilities. It is important to realize that whenever you get on the road it is not only your life but the lives of others that could potentially be harmed due to inexperience and uneducated decision making.

In recent years, car accidents have surged to a staggering six million annually, with major contributors being distracted driving, driving under the influence, ignoring traffic signs, and failing to follow safety regulations like wearing a seatbelt. We as a collective can work to lower this number by simply recognizing the importance of educating ourselves and using that knowledge to make better decisions. Always use your seat belt, check both ways, and proceed with caution and awareness anytime you are behind the wheel. Talking about these issues and creating conversations about driver safety can help reduce these numbers and bring about a positive change.

It is common to want to show off by speeding and acting recklessly while behind the wheel, but in doing so you are making a conscious contribution to a concerning statistic. Too often drivers of all ages are swept up in the excitement of driving and make rash decisions that can lead to extreme consequences. Not only could you potentially end up in jail, but you could severely harm your well-being or that of another human/living entity. A vehicle is a massive responsibility and driving one needs to be viewed as a privilege that demands both personal duty and collective understanding. Marian Wright Edleman said it best, “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” I urge and encourage everyone to carry their responsibility with understanding and commitment to making safe decisions.