Name: Anna Lei Singleton
From: Wetumpka, Alabama
Votes: 0
Turning
sixteen for most teens is a pivotal moment in their lives; it is the
moment when freedom, privilege, the peak of adulthood begins. It is
the moment that every parent takes pride in but also fears for their
child: driving. Because of the world we live in, there are numerous
distractions that can threaten the lives of young drivers. However,
with the help of responsible role models and effective education,
there is a way to reduce the potentially fatal dangers of careless
driving.
One
of the most evidential factors to vehicle related deaths is cell
phones. The lure that social media sites and texting have on the
younger generation is costing not only their lives, but others’
too. I have a friend that was in a very serious accident in which
someone died due to the fact that he was texting. Sure, there has
been new technology that has enabled calling to be less of a hassle,
but the attention given to our phones has yet to decrease. One
solution can actually be found in the older generation. The
temptation of electronics not only have a hold on teens but also
their parents. If children grow up witnessing their parents
practicing bad habits, more than likely they are going to mirror the
same. Personally, I have been guilty of falling to this error.
Because of my parents’ attachment to their phones, I have found
myself more susceptible to drawing my own attention to my cell phone
rather than the road. It is essential that parents are aware of their
own habits in order to set a safe example for their kids.
Nonetheless,
the root of all these issues can be avoided by informing drivers of
risks and safety. Other problems among careless drivers include
refusal to wear a seat belt or exceeding the speed limit, all of
which can also be helped by what they witness. However, if people are
not informed about the risks, then they don’t have a reason to stop
the behavior. Fortunately, my school offers a Drivers Ed course
for upcoming drivers, and it proves to be a favorite for many
students. Not only is it beneficial for risk awareness, but it also
gives students a chance to see how those precautions can be applied
in real-life. Implementing Drivers Ed classes in schools is a
great way to reach students about road safety. Another approach to
reach students is through other students. If there is a generation of
teens informed and willing to talk with others, there would be a
better reception.
Furthermore,
the suggestions mentioned are only a handful of the endless solutions
that could be devised to fix careless driving. As a young driver
myself, I think having prime examples and insuring knowledge are easy
steps to reducing vehicle fatalities. While this stage of life can be
exciting for most teens, it is also a phase in which responsibility
and sensible thinking are vital to the new drivers’ lives.
