The Dangerous Teenage Dream

One of the biggest things students look forward to in their teen years is finally having the freedom to drive. The idea of having your car, being able to rely less on parents for a ride, going to all the places your mind could think up. The whole idea is very exciting, but the reality that catches most students off guard is the danger that comes with this exhilarating experience as well. In a driver’s education course many students learn the ways of the road. For example, when to stop, when to go, who has the right of way, and so on. Aside from the basic rules of the road, there are also lessons taught on drug and alcohol use while driving. These basic ideas are ways to help reduce the number of deaths as a result of driving. Not only is learning how to drive Important but teaching how to be a defensive driver is also very important. This teaches many ideas starting from how to prevent road rage, how to calculate your following distance behind the car one is following, calculating your stopping distance using your speed and the size of the vehicle that is being driven. All of this being taught to young, new drivers is very important, especially when these ideas are applied afterward in the one-on-one driving lessons students have with driving instructors. The most impactful part of a driver’s education class, well at least for me, are the videos of the families of reckless drivers or loved ones who were harmed and killed due to reckless driving. These informational, yet devastating stories help bring all the information of the class into one to show the students why this information is important enough to be taught and tested on. The steps that can be taken to reduce these hurting families and fatalities, injuries, and financial losses on the road can start with simply educating each other. Learning when to use your turning signals, when to accelerate, the speed to turn at, to check the tires and back of the vehicle before driving off, using the mirrors of the car and checking blind spots, and most importantly wearing a seat belt. The next step would be staying in the right state of mind when driving. This can include being patient on the road to prevent road rage, getting plenty of sleep so vehicles do not drift off of the road, being respectful to passengers and not distracting the driver, or even being an attentive driver and taking responsibility for the passengers’ and their own life. Driving on the road in the right state of mind has helped me stay alert on many occasions. I, luckily, have never been in a car accident. However, I have been close to a few. Many of which could have been avoided other drivers used their blinkers, were not speeding through traffic lights or texting while driving, and almost collided into my car. I have seen many of my friends and family members driving in very irresponsible ways. The most common way is texting and driving. Sometimes it may not even be texting, just scrolling through social media while at the wheel. The best way to try and fix this and protect your safety as a passenger is to say that you feel unsafe while the driver is on their device and you would feel better if they put it down. If this does not work ask to be dropped off somewhere and find a new ride. This does not only apply to texting and driving but if there is a driver who seems to be under the influence, as if they had been drinking or doing drugs, say something or simply do not get in the vehicle. Or if the car seems as if it would be a distracting place for a driver, with loud music and wild passengers, avoid the situation. This is the first step to helping others become better drivers. Letting others know what they are doing is unsafe for themselves and the people in the car helps show the errors that are being made. The second step would be to listen to these mistakes and find ways to prevent them in the future. From there implement these new strategies into driving until they become a habit. In the end, there are many ways people can get hurt while driving, but if driving is done safely and responsibly, with educated drivers are at the wheel, as well as, responsible and aware passengers, the roads will be a safer place for everyone, and that exciting teenage dream can live on.