A Responsibility That Cannot Be Taken Back

Driving is something many young people look forward to. It represents freedom, independence, and adulthood. But behind the wheel of every car is a life or death responsibility that far too many teens underestimate. For me, teen driver safety is not just a topic. It is personal. It is painful. It is a loss. It has lifelong consequences.

When I was 22, I lost my cousin in Kingston, Jamaica because someone chose to drive recklessly after drinking. He was not even driving the car. He was simply in the passenger seat when the driver lost control and crashed. He died instantly. Just like that, his laughter, his future, his entire life was gone. That moment changed how I view driving forever. His death was senseless, and it was preventable. It made me realize that behind every statistic is a shattered family, a missing voice, and a wound that time does not easily heal.

Teen driver safety is one of the most urgent public health issues we face. Every year, thousands of lives are cut short because of distractions, peer pressure, or poor decisions behind the wheel. And while there are many contributing factors, one of the strongest tools we have to fight this crisis is driver’s education. Driver’s education does not just teach students how to operate a car. It teaches them how to respect it. It teaches awareness, caution, and maturity, which are things that many new drivers lack without guidance.

The challenges teen drivers face are very real. We live in a world of constant notifications. Phones buzz, music plays, friends laugh in the passenger seat, and all of that competes for a driver’s attention. Add peer pressure into the mix, and you have young people taking risks just to seem cool or confident. But the consequences can be tragic.

One of the most heartbreaking examples I have witnessed involved someone I considered a friend. Just last year, he made the decision to drive under the influence. When police attempted to pull him over, instead of stopping, he panicked and sped off. The chase ended in a crash that destroyed five parked cars. Miraculously, no one died. But the damage was massive. Now he is facing up to 50 years in prison. A smart, talented young man threw his future away in a matter of minutes because he did not take driving seriously. That is how quickly it can happen. That is how permanent the consequences can be.

Because of these experiences, I take driving extremely seriously. I keep my phone on Do Not Disturb while driving. I refuse to ride with people who have been drinking or are reckless. I speak up, even when it is uncomfortable. I believe we have a responsibility to not only protect ourselves but also everyone else on the road. I have had to look into the eyes of people grieving a loved one. I have watched someone walk into a courtroom knowing they may never walk out free again. I never want to be the cause of that kind of pain.

Teens can take small but powerful actions to become safer drivers. First, we can lead by example. Choosing not to text and drive. Buckling up every time. Speaking up when friends drive recklessly. Second, schools can implement peer-led driver safety clubs, offer simulations of impaired driving, and invite guest speakers who have experienced the consequences firsthand. Real stories reach hearts more than statistics ever could.

Communities also have a role to play. Local leaders can fund free or reduced-cost driver’s education programs so all teens have access. Law enforcement and public health officials can host workshops and awareness campaigns at schools and youth centers. Churches and community centers can offer rides for youth events to keep teens from making risky decisions late at night.

Most importantly, we all need to change the culture around driving. Getting a license is not just about passing a permit test. It is about proving you can protect lives. Every teen should be taught that driving is a privilege, not a right, and that one poor choice behind the wheel can end a life or change your own forever.

Being in the driver’s seat means more than gripping a steering wheel. It means choosing responsibility over recklessness. It means thinking beyond the moment, beyond the thrill, beyond the pressure. I carry the memory of my cousin with me every time I drive. I think of my friend who now sits in a prison cell because of one terrible decision. These stories are heavy, but they have shaped me into a safer, more conscious driver, and I hope they can inspire others to make better choices too.