Driving Safely in the United States for Teens

Christian Aguayo

DMVEDU.org

15 March 2020

Driving
Safely in the United States for Teens

Driving
education is very important, especially for teenagers like myself.
Driving Education teaches teens the rules of the road so that they
can stay safe. The consequences of not following the rules, however
minor they may be, can have lasting effects on teens, their
passengers, and those driving with them. Without a proper driver’s
education, a teen can make erroneous decisions costing them injuries
or, in extreme situations, their lives. California, my home state,
realized this and took the necessary precautions. Californians have
mandated that a teen needs to have proper drivers ed before
they can drive on the road. A drivers ed is vital to
keeping our roads safe.

Many
experts point to the lack of muscle memory and motor skills in teens
as the primary factor in accidents. Teenagers have a lot less
experience behind the wheel than adults. Both teenagers and parents
need to take responsibility and action to reduce the number of
teenage accidents in the US. Parents need to teach their child how to
drive safely and practice with them. Practicing constantly with their
child in real life situations is crucial to developing strong motor
skills and good experience. By practicing, teens can gain a better
understanding of their surroundings and make the roads safer for
everyone.

I
have not had an accident in the years of having a California
Learner’s Permit and a California Restricted License. The primary
reason is the good and thorough training I received not only from my
instructor, but from my parents. We would endlessly practice on how I
can get better at specific maneuvers such as pulling from a driveway,
parking, and changing lanes. They would also warn me of the
consequences of reckless driving. I have heard of the terrible
accidents that resulted from reckless driving. Some of the most
horrible stories came from my own family members. In one incident, my
cousin was driving a couple of her friends from a late night party.
Her friends were drunk, but my cousin was not. Still, there was a
major accident that took one of her friends’ life. In another
incident, a different cousin was speeding in neighborhood streets
without a seatbelt. She crashed into a pole that sadly took her life.
It is so saddening to remember these stories, but they are harsh
reminders to take driving seriously.

There
are many simple but important actions I take while driving to ensure
the safety of others around me. I always take driving seriously. I
don’t drive when I am angry or frustrated. I don’t look at my
phone or other distractions. I stay focused on the road. Driving
safely is really important, especially as a teen.