2025 Drivers Ed Essay

Teen driving safety is a very serious public concern; I did not realize car crashes are one of the most leading causes of injuries and death until reading the information for this essay. It was eye opening to say the less to read the total number of American deaths within a 2-year spam total more deaths than the Vietnam war. That really hit home for me with the seriousness of operating a motor vehicle. Even though many teens like me are excited to drive, we often lack the experience and awareness to handle many driving situations. I’ve been behind the wheel in some form since I was 10 years old with my dad, and even with that early exposure I still have made mistakes that could have cost me or other their lives. Driver’s education is a critical tool teens need to take serious and not just as a preliminary to get our license. Drivers ed teaches the rules of the road, road safety, and it prepares us to make good decisions when driving. The type of decisions that can keep us and others on the road safe!

There are many challenges teens face. The biggest in my opinion is the cell phone. It only takes a second of looking down to answer a call, a text, and miss something important happening on the road. Things like a car stopped suddenly, something in the road, or a person crossing the street. Also, having others in the car with you is a distraction. Them talking, laughing, music, or even their own personal phone conversations; becomes a major distraction. We aren’t focused on the road as we may think. I got my 1^st car when I was 16-year-old. I can honestly say as self-aware as I thought I was, and I’ll add the many conversations my parents had with me about car safety. I made some foolish decisions. I wasn’t prepared for every situation that I faced. The way to overcome challenges of teen driving is by building and keeping great safety habits. Teen drivers must stay calm, keep the cell phone out of reach, limit distractions, and never let others in our car pressure us into unsafe choices.

I learned the importance of safe driving the hard way. This last year has been rough. I got a speeding ticket about a year ago, it was absolutely no reason for me to be speeding. I also wrecked and totaled my mom’s car a few months ago. I was getting over into another lane, and just like that, everything changed. I honestly don’t remember how it happened. I thank God no one was physically hurt, but the emotions I had afterwards hit me all at once. I felt fear, guilt, and immediate regret! I had to call my dad (who promptly came), because I had to deal with adults who I hit and the police which was scary. My mom always says when I leave the house be careful, stay off the phone, no speeding, and be aware of your surroundings. She has said this religiously! With different adversities in these few years of driving, I understand her sayings and concerns more and more!

I believe our community, teen, and schools all have a role to play:

1. Our community can step up by hosting workshops, safety driving simulations, or partnering with our local business to reward good driving behavior amongst teens. Even the local authorities can join in at rewarding good safety driving vs. the only time you may interact with them are traffic stops with a ticket.

2. Teens can start by taking ownership of their decisions behind the wheel. We need to take driving seriously. We must understand the safety of ourselves and others. We also need to hold our friends accountable when they are doing risky stuff behind the wheel.

3. Schools can make drivers ed a requirement for graduations. Real life situations are often the best teacher. Teens seeing the impacted of crashes that affect families. Also, reward safety of teen driving on campus can go a long way!

I may have started driving young, but that didn’t stop me from learning some tough lessons. I now see being safe on the road isn’t about how long you’ve been driving. It is about how well you are focused and alert when behind the wheel. As teen drivers we all need to make better decisions before tragedy knocks on our door, and remember safety 1st.