The token of adulthood, the freedom of the road, the thrill of adventure. Every person on this planet dreams of the day they receive that two-by-three inch sheet of plastic. Containing only a few words and a picture, it holds an enormous power, continually whispering, “Let’s hit the road.” I could never forget the first time I sat behind the steering wheel, the rush of adrenaline, the feeling of adulthood, and my parent stressing out in the passenger seat. However, while most people remember the moment they first “shift it into drive and slowly press the gas pedal,” they often forget the responsibilities and precautions that come with earning that piece of plastic.
As of 2025, there are nearly 240 million people in the United States with valid driver’s licenses. By law, everyone trying to get a driver's license has to attend driving school to learn the rules of the road. Yet, despite this training, there are still 5.9 million car crashes every year in America, 42,000 of which are fatal. If you’ve ever lost a family member or friend, you know how much it hurts you and those around you. I can speak for myself, losing someone unexpectedly can be devastating. Think of all those people who knew that person. Now multiply that by 42,000. The weight of that number is staggering. Clearly, distracted driving is no joke—it’s deadly and destructive.
This is why driver education is essential. It keeps the roads safe not just for everyone around us but for drivers themselves. As drivers, we need to know the meaning of road signs, the dangers of intersections, and how to make the right decisions in unpredictable situations. But while these skills are important, they aren’t enough. The harsh reality is that the biggest causes of car crashes today are cell phones, alcohol, and speed. New drivers need to learn not just how to operate a vehicle but also how dangerous reckless driving truly is. Through proper driver education, they can fully understand the devastating impact that drunk, distracted, and reckless driving can have.
I know this all too well. Growing up, I lived along one of those smooth, long country roads, the kind that makes you want to speed with the windows down and the music cranked up. At ten years old, I dreamed of flying down that road the moment I got my license. But one summer night in July changed everything. I was staring out the window when I saw a dark blue pickup truck flying by at about 80-90 mph, twice the speed limit. I remember thinking, “That must be the life.” Then it happened. The truck’s front tire caught the edge of the road, and the driver lost control. Still moving at full speed, the truck tipped onto its side and slid toward a tree. In what felt like slow motion, the three-foot trunk of a pine tree smashed through the windshield, killing the driver instantly. Hours of flashing lights and sirens followed. At that moment, my dream of speeding down that road diminished forever. It struck me. I could have been in that exact situation a couple years down the road. The image of that shattered truck and lifeless driver still sticks with me, reminding me to be a responsible driver.
Because of that experience, I’ve made a promise to be safer and smarter behind the wheel and I encourage others to do the same. I believe that if all drivers did these four things, the roads would be so much safer:



Don’t Drink and Drive: With the number of lives lost to drunk driving, I promise to stay far away from driving under the influence and encourage my peers to do the same.


Don’t Text and Drive: I keep my phone on silent mode while driving to avoid distractions—because no text is worth a life.


Don’t Drive When Tired: Drowsy driving is nearly as dangerous as drunk driving. If I’m tired, I’ll wake myself up or avoid driving altogether.


Keep My Eyes on the Road: That split second it takes to glance at your phone or change the song could be the difference between life and death.


In the end, every time we get behind the wheel, we need to realize the impact our decisions can have on ourselves and everyone around us. Spending that split second to look down to change a song or read a text could steal someone’s life, forever tormenting those close to that person. As drivers, we need to respect the road and remember that holding that two-by-three piece of plastic is more than a privilege—it’s a responsibility.