Impacting the Mindset of Youth Drivers

I think a much more positive influence on youthful drivers is to help reduce bad driving habits, and change the negative statistics that go along with them, is not to change the age of the driver but actually take actions to promote and educate safe driving and create awareness of issues. Teaching youthful adults safe driving habits and the outcomes of breaking the rules would allow them to identify their role, responsibility and the power that they hold. To help young drivers see the extent of the consequences they will face from actions like speeding, driving and texting, no seatbelt, extremely loud music, etc., the education must be strong, unforgettable, and interactive, to make sure the message is embedded. A powerful way to get young drivers to take the issue seriously is to have drivers that were guilty of causing accidents as well as survivors, families and friends of victims’ of these accidents reflect on their personal stories to share the reality of what can happen on a much deeper level. Sharing with drivers the serious end result that people have suffered with, whether it be, serious injuries, the fatel loss of a loved one, or coping with the fact that you killed or seriously hurt other people, is a some examples of action that can be taken to make new drivers recognize the serious level of the problem. With educational programs giving emotional, real stories and experiences that can be educating everyone in schools, in after school youth programs, through the Department of Motor Vehicles, at community gathering and centers, county fairs, and so many other places, and through the platform that most young people use everyday including: social media, interactive engaging models, blogs, podcast presentations, and any other new and upcoming platforms. One other educational piece besides sharing horrific stories of those hurt by thoughtless driving is to hold a mock car accident scenes at high  schools or within the community or county. This is something I got to see at my friends high school did to impact and display the dangers of inattentive or intoxicated driving and to graphically display how one single person’s decision can quickly impact the lives of countless individuals. Observing the definitive moment of actions and how in a  split second of looking away from the wheel can end in a horrendous chain of events that causes yourself, others drivers, and your loved ones, all to multiple degrees, gives a scripted, but, realistic representation that could have a huge impact on young drivers as it did for me. These methods would be strong ways to allow teens to step out of their ideology that they are invincible and that “it won’t happen to me” and provoke them to have better habits of safe driving. I know that awareness and education are the best paths in educating us to make a positive impact on all drivers as well as on society as a whole. I know these measures will not stop all deaths, injuries and accidents caused  by young drivers, it is a start to  giving a foundational platform of safe and righteous driving practices that ultimately will result in lifelong road safe, law abiding and educated drivers.