The Cost of Driver’s Education

It’s homecoming night and a group of friends has just left the dance and are getting into their cars. 4 people, 4 kids, barely old enough to get a job putting their lives into the hands of 1 dehydrated, physically exhausted, possibly inebriated, 18 year old who has barely gotten past their provisional license. They turn onto the 2 way highway with no street lights and deer warning signs. Their parents don’t know who’s car they’re in, and have given them only a curfew- be home by 12:30. The girl in the passenger seat has grabbed the aux and is blasting music. 2 of the ones in the back are arguing because of a snapchat score. The last rolls down the window to feel the air on their face. The driver doesn’t say anything, but they can’t figure out how to turn on the brights. This is their brother’s car. This simple act of searching for a setting has taken their attention away from the road. Ahead there is an SUV pulling out to turn left because they underestimated the speed of the highschooler’s car. 2 seconds later the car full of distracted, doe eyed highschoolers is flipping into a ditch. This is the cost of the current drivers’ education in the United States.

This story may sound hypothetical, but it mirrors the tragic reality that thousands of families face every year. According to the CDC, approximately 3,000 teenagers die in car accidents annually, with two-thirds of those fatalities being male. For every death, there are dozens of serious injuries, leaving lasting physical and emotional scars. Most of these deaths were entirely preventable. Distracted driving and critical errors are responsible for an estimated 75% of all serious teen motor vehicle accidents. Teen driving safety is not only a matter of personal safety but a public issue that needs to be addressed. 

Part of the problem lies in how America approaches driver’s education. Currently, in most states, a teenager must answer 30 multiple-choice questions and score at least 70% to pass the written exam. Six months later, they return for a short road test, where again, a 70% is considered passing. This is all that is required of brand-new drivers to go from nothing to full trust behind the wheel. When compared to countries like Germany or Japan, where driver training is far more rigorous, the gap in preparation becomes clear. In those nations, young drivers must log dozens of supervised hours in varied conditions, attend mandatory safety courses, and often pay significant fees to ensure they truly understand the responsibility of driving. In the United States, the process is rushed, underfunded, and overly focused on memorization rather than practical skills.

Furthermore, preventative education such as drunk/distracted driving seminars are often given after the individual has already received authorization to operate a vehicle. Many schools put on productions to try to scare students into safe driving such as every 15 minutes and shattered dreams, but scaring people and teaching them safe driving practices are two very different things. 

Everyday, teenagers face obstacles that can possibly keep them from coming home safely. The average highschooler not only has to juggle school and family but also work, extracurriculars, social obligations, and more. This takes a toll on the mental health of these new drivers taking their mind and their eyes elsewhere when on the road. One of the biggest issues that comes with driving is peer pressure. I don’t know of a single high schooler that has followed all of the regulations that come with a provisional license. The very laws that aim to keep them safe (No music, curfew, only 1 nonfamily member) are thrown out the window when a friend asks for a ride. A car full of friends can quickly become a distraction, whether through music, phones, or conversations. Lack of experience also makes it difficult for teens to anticipate hazards, such as deer crossings, icy roads, or aggressive drivers. Add in fatigue, stress, or the temptation to check a text, and the risks multiply. While these issues do not only exist for teen drivers, their undeveloped frontal lobes and relative inexperience magnify these issues to a fatal level. We see these hazards as if they are a standard part of growing up. We have normalized and even romanticized these classic tropes of reckless behavior, and irresponsible teens. 

So what can be done? We need to reform the standard drivers education. Schools used to take on this responsibility themselves, but with technological programs like Aceable making access to a license at your fingertips it is difficult to regulate who’s getting behind the wheel. Easily forged driving hours supervised by tired parents shouldn’t be the only requirement, but should be done in tangent with a minimum number of required hours under a certified official. Simulators can be used to recreate dangerous situations in a safe environment, teaching students how to respond without putting them in actual danger. Furthermore, written tests should include questions that measure judgment and situational awareness, not just technical knowledge.

Outside of regulations, communities can also aim to help: Helping with safe driving practice and seminars before their kids get behind the wheel, making sure that alternative transportation is available and accessible, providing support for parents aiming to teach their children how to drive safely. 

Teen Driver safety is an ongoing and urgent issue. Every week, I hear about another crash that could have ended someone’s life. I pass fender benders on the side of the road as scared teens frantically call their parents on what to do. The current system does too little to prepare young drivers for the realities of the road, but with stronger education, better policies, and cultural change, progress is possible. Driving is not a right; it is a privilege that carries immense responsibility. How we handle and bestow this responsibility determines whether someone’s life gets cut short. By treating it with the seriousness it deserves, we can prevent tragedies and ensure that more teens make it home safely.