Self Confidence on the Road

Getting my driver’s license at the age of seventeen is a very big accomplishment and responsibility that I am grateful I had the opportunity to receive. I never went to a drivers ed school or anything of that sort because I told myself I didn’t have the time. Today before I drive off to marching band rehearsal I still tell my family that I love them almost every time before I leave because, well of course I love them, but I am afraid of dying while on the road. I don’t want to leave my house thinking that I could’ve said it one more time or have them think I didn’t love them. I do this because honestly, I am not very confident yet. Even after having my license for about six months, I am still constantly aware of how much damage I could do to myself and others while on the road. Having a drivers ed be mandatory and free would help drop car accident numbers dramatically. Why are American public schools funded by the government but most drivers ed is not? By having a professional teach me how to drive, I feel like I would’ve been more confident in myself throughout the entire process. I see a lot of my peers like me that are too scared to have passengers in their car yet or too afraid to really use their license. Not being a confident driver is what causes a lot of accidents. Whether it’s turning a corner too slow or being hesitant at an intersection, a confused driver is never a safe one.

Even though I have never been in a car accident myself, I have come pretty close. Having your life almost flash before your eyes and being so scared your mouth goes numb is sadly an experience that most people will have because of driving. The medal boxes we put ourselves in almost every day do not have to be so deadly. Everyone always remembers the tragic story of a couple of high school seniors dying in a car crash at their school. It’s pretty eye-opening to realize how common it is to have someone you know die like that. In order to stop this trend, we need to make drivers ed mandatory and free, especially for teenagers like myself.