Bumper Cars

I had been dreaming of being behind the wheel since I was 10 years old when my father bought me and my brother a remote toy lamborghini car, which had a steering wheel and pedal attachment. We both would play with it for hours, spinning it around and around in circles. Every time it hit the wall or the couch leg, we would cringe and run to check if our car was hurt. I would steer the wheel and my brother would be in charge of the pedals. We had our own rhythm. What we had learned at that young age was that good and safe driving requires all of your focus, and that there is a difference between driving for fun and driving for safety. Both the wheel and the pedal are your instruments of speed. They both were to be used cautiously and carefully if we wanted to keep our car from getting another scratch.

7 years later, my 17 year old self was waiting in the car for my first behind-the-wheel driving test. I was so nervous I couldn’t think straight. My heart was beating loud, resonating through the car like a bass drum. I was distracted by the fact that the lives of more than two people would be in my hands and feet: my driving instructor’s life, my own life, and the lives of all the other people out on the street.

“Don’t mess up. Don’t lose focus. Follow the instructions or else you’ll fail,” was my mantra. I found out later that there was a better mantra: “Eyes on the road. Trust your instincts. Safety is always first; follow the instructions only if it’s safe to do so.”

As we got on the road, I took deep breaths and avoided looking at my shaking hands. We entered a big 8-lane road when the instructor said, “merge to your right.”

As practiced, I checked my rear and side mirrors, then looked over my right shoulder. There was a car visible beyond the backseat window, but all I could hear was “merge! Merge quickly, or you’ll fail!” I ignored my instincts and common sense. Distracted by my fear of failing the test, I turned the wheel right, towards the car right next to me.

“STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!” She yelled.

I snapped out of my trance and readjusted my wheel to the left, returning to my lane.

“Didn’t you see the car?” She asked. I had no response.

I did see the car, but what overshadowed the car was my fear of failing if I did not merge as soon as possible. I had forgotten that she said “only follow the instructions when it is safe to do so.” I did not see the danger from my actions at that moment and risked the lives of several people because of my anxiety.

I admit to crying and blaming the instructor for my own foolishness for the first few hours. But by the end of that day, I learned the most important lesson of my life: fear of failure produces failure.

The next few months required patience and many deep breaths. While I failed my first driving test for being too careless, I failed the second test for being too careful, going at 27 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour speed limit zone. The third time was the charm. I jumped in the air screaming “I passed!” as I ran into my mother’s arms.

“Good job, honey. You’re done with driving tests forever!” My mother exclaimed. I leaped with joy. I won’t have to take another driving test in my life! At the time it seemed like such a relief. However, now that I think about it, I don’t think it would be a bad idea to have a couple more mandatory tests to keep me sharp about my driving.

Driver education helps to spread knowledge regarding road rules. Although many things may seem obvious to learners (I certainly scoffed when they told me that the yellow traffic light means it is about to turn red), there are lesser-known and important lessons that can save lives—for example, learning how to avoid a tailgater, how to deal with hydroplaning, or how often to send your car for maintenance.

My first failed driving test changed how I looked at driving. Over the next months after my first driving test, I only permitted myself to drive when I had the mental capability to do it. While driving has little to no physical demands, it is definitely a mind exercise that requires focus above everything else. To ensure that I am prepared to drive, I always follow my routine. First I get comfortably seated in the car, adjusting the seat, windows, and temperature. I turn my phone to “do not disturb” mode and connect it to the car’s bluetooth system. That way, I will not be distracted by these things while on the road. Next I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes to recenter and refocus myself, reminding myself that when I am in the driver’s seat, I am simply a driver. Nothing from school or work or any other part of my life should be intruding upon my thoughts, because, as my dad says, we make mistakes when our mind is not there with us. I open my eyes and check the rear view and side mirrors, ensuring I can see as much of the outside as possible. If it is very bright outside, I wear sunglasses so that I can fully open my eyes and have the most efficient vision. I put my seatbelt on and check that all other passengers in the car have also put theirs on. I ensure the car is in good shape, with sufficient tire pressure and no warning signs. Once all of these checks are complete, I move the car out of park and into drive.

I believe that this routine, if followed by all drivers, can significantly reduce the number of accidents and save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Driver Electronic Device Use in 2022, 3.1% of drivers were visibly found to be manipulating handheld devices while driving, 6.5% of which were 16-24 years old¹. 3,308 people lost their lives in 2022 for this easily avoidable reason². Simply refusing the temptation of using phones and devices while driving can significantly decrease our risk of accidents, especially among young adults. The NHTSA also encourages teens to be role models for their peers by pledging to never drive distractedly, and to call their friends out when they engage in risky driving. Additionally, joining organizations like their local Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter, teens can foster a culture of caution and respect for the mighty power of automobiles². Most of all, I believe the power of social media should be harnessed to raise awareness of the risk a person takes when sitting behind the wheel, whether they are sober and focused or not. Real cars are not bumper cars. Let’s keep that in mind the next time we get our hands on the wheel.