Experience and Awareness

Breathe in, breathe out—hands on the wheel, with a grip tight enough to turn your knuckles white. Your guardian is in the passenger seat, and their worries start to become your own. Is it really necessary to practice? It’s just driving. You think to yourself. But the second you put the car in motion, you realize this is more than just driving. Your life is in your own hands; other people’s lives are in your hands. Steady your breathing, try to relax and realize that you are one with the car. Loosen your grasp, don’t overthink this. It’s all about confidence.

You start to think back to your mother telling you in her recognizable, gentle accent. She was eight months pregnant with you, exhausted and tiresome. It was the usual routine, and she could do it with her eyes closed. But it’s crucial to note that no matter how experienced you are, you must always be aware. Your mother further explains that she backed up from her parking space without realizing she hit the gas too hard. As she was doing so, she collided with a wall. Her vision started to blur, and she momentarily passed out. Only one thing was running through her mind. Her child and their safety. She didn’t regard her safety. She was only worried about you. Weeks had passed, you had already been born, but your mother didn’t dare to enter any vehicle.

During that time, your father had tried to get your mother to at least attempt driving again. Your mother kept refusing, and the anxiety was eating her alive. She wanted to protect her newborn, and the only way to guard her was to be as far away from the car as possible. Every time she closed her eyes, the accident was on a constant loop. Your father was aware of the uneasiness that filled her mind, and he understood that it would take time before she would drive. It was baby steps-get behind the wheel without having her breath stagger, and the only way she could do it was to relearn to drive, studying her books as if she was a teenager learning to drive for the first time in a way, she was. It was indeed an eye-awakening moment, changing the way she drove for years to follow.

Now you can come to an understanding, always be conscious of your surroundings. You must be kept on your toes, no matter how well experienced you think you may be. It isn’t just driving. It’s a skill that must be taken seriously. She openly admits that she wasn’t driving safely and wishes she could’ve been more attentive at the time. Your mother was against you driving at first, but you convinced her to sign you up for driving lessons. Your mother would tell you stories about the teens in her home country who would drive recklessly, with little to no road laws. Multiple teens between the ages of 13 to 19 wouldn’t return home because of an accident. These kids would not think twice about getting behind the wheel, with minimum knowledge of how to even put the gears in the shift. It was her worst fear, and you knew why she was fearful.

It reminds you of when you drive with your friends all night long. The windows are down, excessively blowing the cold wind in your face. Music blasts that your ears begin to ring, a headache starts to form. Regardless if you are in the passenger seat, the overwhelming feeling starts to consume you. You remind the other teens to turn down the music to let the driver focus. Focus is critical, and it’s what reduces these unthinkable possibilities. The discomfiting moment passes quickly; you seem like a pushover, but what’s a pushover if you get into a life-threatening accident? What comes first, your safety? Or being reckless? Must you face a traumatic experience to learn what not to do? Put yourself first, put your phone on do not disturb, a text message can wait until you arrive at your destination. Highlight that what was mentioned was the destination, not a red light. Because whether or not you are actively driving, you are still on the road.

You are grateful to live in Massachusetts, where driver’s education is mandatory for all drivers under eighteen. This law reduces fatal car accidents amongst teens, and is overall necessary. Those 30 hours of classes will pay off, and 12 hours on the road under surveillance will benefit you. People’s lives are more valuable than your time. 30 measly hours does not matter in the long run if you stay safe whilst driving. The number one step in being safe on the road is to stay alert. It’s the little things that matter, such as buckling up and notifying who you’re with to put them on as well. Slowing down at a yellow light, some people cannot deny that they have sped up when one comes on. Not doing these small acts can have significant consequences, as much as you desperately want to turn back time on-you will not be able to.

You have to be the one to remind others not to take driving lightly. Be cautious, with little to no distractions. Be wary of the possibility of death from an accident, and the only way to prevent it is following road safety. Your performance as a teen driver affects you and everyone else on the road. You shouldn’t be losing your life because of a fatal car injury at the age of seventeen. Your guardian isn’t solely teaching this life skill. You must learn from a professional. To be guided in the right direction, educating you on the right knowledge and familiarity.