Teen Driving

Kids always look forward to that day when they can get behind the wheel, until we actually get behind the wheel and all of a sudden are really nervous. For a lot of people driving is easier said than done, and there are others that think that driving is easier than it looks. Driver education can help those who are nervous to get behind the wheel, as well teach those over confident drivers the truth behind the wheel, and not get too ahead of themselves. Driver education will teach the new drivers how to drive safely on the road, make sure that they know the rules of the road. Many people are taught how to drive by a parent, others are taught by friends, but for some people it is a little too much pressure to learn by the close people in our lives, so that is where drivers education comes in. It is a place where children can learn to drive without the stress of their over worried parents. “Driver education courses teach our children important factors about driving in all sorts of different weather. Winter and rainy weather are dangerous for even the most seasoned driver; a first time driver needs to be prepared. Driver courses can also teach a student how to avoid getting in accidents and how to drive in congested areas.”

No matter how many laws are forced or tickets are handed out, there will always be drinking, texting, and distractions while driving. I think one of the only ways to help prevent texting and driving is by informing the new drivers of the dangers, and showing the statistics of fatal accidents caused by texting, drinking, etc…

According to studies (2017):

• “32.8% of high school students nationwide have texted or e-mailed while driving.

• 12% of distracted drivers involved in fatal car accidents were teens ages 15 to 19.

• Talking on a cell phone can double the likelihood of an accident and can slow a young driver’s reaction time to that of a 70-year-old.

• Drivers under the age of 20 make up the largest percentage of distracted drivers.

• 56% of teens admit to talking on cell phones while driving.

• 13% of teens admit to texting while driving.

• 34% of teens age 16 and 17 admit that they send and respond to text messages while driving.

• The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.

• Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.

• 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.

• Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.

• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.

• Texting while driving causes a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road.

• Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.”

The only other way to prevent preventable car accidents is the responsibility of the driver. Whether that is putting your phone away, pulling over to text someone, and don’t drink a bunch before you drive, and no drinking while driving.

I personally haven’t heard of my friends getting into car accidents from driving irresponsibly, but there were times where there could have been a car accident. My friend was driving and her friend was trying to show her something on her phone. While my friend was looking at her friend’s phone she started veering off the road, but was lucky enough to get back on the road safely before she went into the ditch. There was also another time my friend was running late for school, so he went way over the speed limit. The trip was supposed to take fifteen minutes but took five minutes instead. At the same time he was texting, trying to tie his shoes, and trying to comb his hair!

I don’t have much practice behind the wheel, so right now the only way I can get better behind the wheel is by practice, and by taking advice from older, more experienced drivers. I would also say I could study more on the laws of the road, and know everything about the laws before I get my license. For people who are already on the road, I would tell them to put their phones down while driving, and don’t have so many distractions in the car while they are driving. I would also remind them of the rules of the road, even if they know them, it is nice to have a reminder with such a big responsibility.