I’ve Been Hit Five Times, But I’m Still Standing: Why Teen Driver Safety Can’t Be Ignored

Most teenagers talk about their first car like it’s a coming-of-age story. For me, it feels more like survival. I’ve been in five car accidents. Two were life-threatening. Three were hit-and-runs. And none of them were my fault. That’s not a badge of honor; it’s trauma I carry every time I sit in a passenger seat or touch a steering wheel. Teen driver safety isn’t just a conversation we should be having; it’s a conversation we should be screaming.

Teen driver safety is a public issue because unsafe driving doesn’t just impact the person holding the keys. It affects moms driving home from work, kids crossing the street, grandparents on the way to church. Every teen behind the wheel is sharing the road with someone’s loved one, and one wrong move can tear a life apart. Driver’s education plays a huge role in preventing that. But it has to be more than memorizing signs or passing a test. It needs to teach real-world awareness, emotional control, and how to respond when things get scary fast. Because believe me, they can.

The biggest challenges teen drivers face today. Distractions. Pressure. Inexperience. Distractions come in all forms, phones, music, Snapchat notifications, even just a deep conversation while driving. All it takes is one glance away from the road and suddenly you’re in a situation you can’t undo. Then there’s peer pressure, people daring you to run a red light, drive faster, “don’t be scared.” But fear behind the wheel is actually wisdom. I’ve learned that the hard way. Finally, inexperience is a silent danger. You don’t realize how much you don’t know until you’re skidding in the rain, or someone cuts you off going 80, and you freeze.

One accident happened at night when I was on I-95 just going to a friend’s house. All of a sudden, im getting ready to get over to get off on my exit but before I could even move or turn on my blinker a car going way past the speed limit came smashing into the back of me which caused me to lose control and smash into the wall on the opposite side of my exit. My heart felt like it stopped. I don’t remember much about the accident but by the time I came to, the car that hit me was already gone and there were people that stopped to check on me. Another time, a driver blew through a stop sign and hit me on the side, I still remember the sound of metal crushing like it happened yesterday. These weren’t just “accidents.” They were moments where my life could’ve ended because someone else chose not to care, not to pay attention, not to drive responsibly. And what hurts most? They left. They hit and ran. Like my life didn’t matter. But I’m still here. And if you’re reading this, you are too. So now what?

First, teens have to stop thinking of driving as a game or something you do just to get to a party or post a “driving vibes” story. This is real life. Behind every wheel is power. And power demands responsibility. That means no texting and driving. That means speaking up when your friend is being reckless. That means knowing your limits and not being ashamed to say, “I’m not ready.”

Second, schools need to stop treating driver’s ed like an afterthought. We need education that’s raw, not sugar-coated. Bring in survivors of crashes. Show the wrecked cars. Let students hear the 911 calls. Show the price of careless decisions. Use simulations that mimic drunk driving, distracted driving, and panic situations. Teach emotional regulation, because driving while angry or anxious can be just as dangerous.

Third, communities need to invest in teen drivers like lives depend on it, because they do. Create free driving clinics. Host safe driving pledge events. Start conversations at community centers, churches, and youth groups. Equip parents with resources to coach their teens, not just hand over the keys.

And most of all, let’s change how we talk about safety. Let’s stop clowning people for being “too careful” or “too slow.” Let’s praise people who take driving seriously. Let’s build a culture where survival is celebrated more than speed. I shouldn’t have five accidents in my past at my age. I shouldn’t tense up every time I get in a car. But here I am, scarred, yes, but still standing. And because I’m still here, I’ll keep telling my story. If it makes just one teen slow down, pay attention, or put their phone down, then it matters. Teen driver safety isn’t a boring topic or a school requirement. It’s the difference between life and death. Between going to prom and getting a call that someone didn’t make it. Between coming home or becoming a headline. You don’t want to learn that lesson the way I did. Trust me.