In The Driver’s Seat Contest

Lizbeth Morelos

23 July 2021

In the Driver’s Seat Contest

Teenagers often look forward to receiving their driver’s license in order to drive to the destination of their desire. Driving might seem easy once you get the hang of it but the responsibility that comes with it is great. The driver is not only responsible for the people that are in the car, but they are also responsible for making sure that they are complying with the state driving laws (i.e., speed limit, stop signs). Reckless driving has become normalized that nowadays people do not seem concerned when they get in the car with someone who texts and drives, speeds, or drinks under the influence. It is important to teach teens and people who recently received their licenses the long-term consequences of driving recklessly such as death, a DUI, or prison.

People might deem driver education as a waste of time or unnecessary because of ‘common knowledge’ but in real life scenarios, people tend to forget the dangers they put those around them when they go on their phones, drive under the influence, or are not obeying traffic laws. Driver education is essential to transitioning young adults from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat. They are taught that if you drive according to the law, you are keeping those around you safe and preventing a car accident or possibly running over a pedestrian. The number of deaths related to driving are diminished because new drivers are made aware of the responsibility needed and failure to comply with the rules could suspend their license or end with greater consequences. If at any moment, someone is thinking about driving under the influence they are most likely to have someone who is not drunk drive, because they were given driver education.

Driving related incidents can decrease when people are reminded of the distractions and temptations they might find along their path. To prevent any distractions people can put their phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ while driving so that they will not feel tempted to answer phone calls or reply to text messages. Another thing that can be done to prevent car related deaths is to create a car feature that does not allow a person to switch gears unless everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt. An easier method would also be to start the car once everyone is buckled up and ready to go. The use of a seat belt keeps people from flying out of the car and getting severely injured if an accident occurs. People can take responsibility by becoming designated drivers or taking an Uber or Lyft home so that no one under the influence drives. Choosing a safe method of transportation after a night out is the safest way to prevent a crash.

A few instances in which I was in a car with a reckless driver was when I was given rides by family members who I did not encounter often. They would text and drive or talk on the phone. Although I felt uncomfortable about speaking up at that time, I would ask them to get off their phone if I saw that in the present. Informing them about the severity of driving while on the phone would make them reconsider next time they want to respond to a text message. I would also suggest that they silence their phones so that they do not have to take their eyes off the road. Some steps I can take to become a better driver is to always be aware of my surroundings in case someone around me is not driving safely. By doing so, I can prevent an accident because I will be aware that the driver is not paying attention to where they are going. I can also be a safer driver when leaving my house a few minutes earlier so that I will have enough time to make it to my destination without feeling like I need to rush there and possibly cause an accident.

As more and more young adults receive their license each year, it is important that parents and friends as well as their community remind them of the role they play in keeping those around them safe. A night partying might end horribly if there is a drunk driver out in the streets. Not only could that put the drunk driver in harm’s way, but it could affect someone that is driving responsibly. Driving irresponsibly causes a chain of events to unfold. Depending on the severity of the situation, some people end up in jail because they made the wrong choices while driving.