Silent Killer: Teen Driving and the Road to Safety

As a teenager, getting your license is a big accomplishment. With it comes freedom; but freedom also comes with responsibility. Unfortunately, many teens do not realize this. Teen driver safety is a critical issue in not only my home state of Nevada, but the United States as a whole. Motor vehicle accidents continue to be the leading cause of death among teenagers, many of the fatalities being preventable. These tragedies consume the local media and headlines. However, teenagers usually believe they are invincible and that it can’t happen to them. This is far from the case. Although driver education is crucial to learn how to operate a vehicle, it does not prepare you to make life saving decisions in a split-second. As someone who did online drivers education and took in person, hands-on classes, hands-on learning was the only thing that prepared me to be a safe, aware, and prepared driver.

With thousands of Nevada teens obtaining a driver’s license every year, more challenges arise. Smartphones consume our daily lives, whether it is texting, changing a song, or finding directions to your next destination. These are considered normal, adequate behaviors, until it comes to driving. Smartphone usage among teens while driving has evolved into a spreading epidemic. Any form of distraction can vastly increase the risk of a car crash. However, many teens think “I am only glancing at my phone for a moment” or “I need to respond” to whoever just texted them. I have been in numerous cars where my friends use their phones. These thoughtless actions can end up hurting them or others. Aside from distractions on the road, peer pressure is common among teenagers, especially when it comes to driving. Teenagers often feel obligated to engage in risky behaviors such as driving under the influence, street racing, and speeding to impress or fit in with their peers. Peer pressure does not need to be face to face. Influence from their friends, such as blasting music, is also a very unsafe driving habit. If you cannot hear your surroundings, you are risking your life and the lives of others. As a teenager myself, you have to realize you are an inexperienced driver, and it takes years of experience to get better. However, staying focused on the road, playing music at a level where you can hear your surroundings, practicing safe driving habits, and avoiding all smartphone usage when operating a vehicle will ultimately grow your driving experience and make you a safer, more prepared driver.

Last October, one of my friends finally got her license. She was so excited to finally have the freedom of having her own car and being able to drive wherever she wanted, the feeling many teens share. It was a crisp Tuesday morning. The sun was peeking out from behind the clouds and the birds were chirping. It was your average morning drive on the way to school until a notification popped up on her phone. The roads were pretty empty, so she decided to pick up her phone and began texting back, all while actively driving. A car cut in front of her, and then a school bus put out a stop sign. The car in front of her slammed on its brakes, and she was not paying full attention. By the time she looked up from her phone, it was too late to react. She rear ended the car in front of her, which left damage to both cars. She ended up totaling her brand new car after having it for only four days. Not only did she have to pay for the damage done to the car she hit, she lost her car and her insurance rates skyrocketed. Her story is a prime example of how fast things can change. You cannot change what is already done, but you can prevent it from happening in the future, which is why it is crucial to pay full attention on the road.

Although not all accidents can be prevented, teens, schools, and communities can take action to promote safer driving habits. To start, all high schools need to offer enhanced driver’s education programs. Instead of only teaching the basics of operating a vehicle, these programs should teach students about the dangers of distractions, importance of wearing seatbelts, and the intensity of the consequences that come with unsafe driving habits. Real simulations and discussions about risky, possibly fatal behaviors can help teenagers be aware of not only their role as drivers, but also what they can, and most likely will, come in contact with on the road.

Additionally, communities play a significant role in bringing awareness to teen driving risks. This can be done through newspapers, social media platforms, fundraisers, and local news. Nevada offers a free program, a day-long course where individuals of all ages are able to experience real-world dangers present on the road. Participants learn about ABS systems, how to drive in unsafe weather conditions, and ultimately how to save their life when it comes to really dangerous situations. They are allowed to drive cars, with a trained instructor next to them at all times. This really allows participants to gain valuable driving skills. These types of programs are crucial to creating aware, prepared, and fast-reacting teenage drivers.

Overall, driving is not a right, it is a privilege. Everytime someone starts their car, no matter the age, they are capable of taking the lives of others. For me, I remember that I have goals and dreams–becoming a nurse, starting a family one day, being successful–and being a careless driver can take that all away. You are not invincible, and neither is anyone you share the road with. Being a safe driver is not weird or unpopular. Instead, it shows maturity and responsibility to those around you. So, be a safe driver, if not for yourself, for those you share the road with.