As a child, road trips were always fun. My parents would buckle us in, and we would go to our destination. Road trips were always packed with books, coloring books, puzzles, games to keep me entertained, my favorite blanket, pillow, and stuffed animal. We made stops every few hours to stretch our legs and use the bathroom. I couldn't wait to grow up to experience what it was like to ride in the front seat. Over the years, I soon learned that driving was less fun than driving alone. You have a lot of responsibilities on you when you are on the road. Before I turned sixteen, I wondered why my dad didn't let us drive. I won't blame him, though; it taught me patience. On the other hand, I didn't care much about it. The thought of driving made me nervous.



During my high school years, I enrolled in a driver's education class in my tenth-grade year at fifteen to obtain my Alabama learner's permit. I completed the classroom instruction part, which covered many topics, including highway license requirements, hand positioning, traffic signals, traffic laws, driving procedures and maneuvers, and the different driving environments. These were not just theoretical lessons but applied during the course's actual on-street, behind-the-wheel part.  The class also opened my eyes to the sobering statistics of death rates due to unsafe driving among young drivers. It equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to drive safely. The habits and behaviors I formed during this stage have the potential to last a lifetime, leading to safer driving practices long after the course has ended.



A car is over 3,000 pounds of fast-moving metal. You owe it to yourself and other drivers to drive safely as a teen driver and get as much supervised practice as possible until you take your test to get your license. Get into the habit of wearing your seat belt as the driver or passenger. Driving under the influence is illegal, and just one sip can interfere with your judgment and how you react. Avoid driving at night until you are comfortable driving during the day. Avoid high volumes of traffic routes like merging onto an interstate if you are not comfortable and ready to do so yet. Avoid driving in poor weather conditions. Another way to reduce deaths related to driving is by avoiding distracted driving. Those seconds could be the difference between life and death for yourself and others, so turn your phone off and give the road your undivided attention. Improving road infrastructure and encouraging vehicle safety enhancements through public awareness campaigns can help spread the message and reduce the number of driving-related deaths.



Yes, I have experienced a car accident (4/2021). In most rear-end collision cases, the driver who hit the vehicle in front is presumed to be at fault. Slick roads increase the risk of accidents, and in my case, that risk became a reality. I was on my way to work, and there was already a multi-vehicle accident ahead of me on my route. My failure to observe the traffic conditions was the root cause of the accident. Before I could even attempt to merge, I collided with the vehicle in front because it was stationary in the middle of the road without any hazard lights. I was issued a traffic citation for failure to maintain a safe following distance, and my car was totaled. Dealing with the insurance claims, car shopping, and increased premiums was a headache. This experience underscored the importance of being attentive and maintaining a safe following distance to prevent such accidents.



No one is the best driver on the planet, but my accident humbled me. As a defensive driver, you can avoid crashes and help lower your risk behind the wheel. Always keep your vision focused on the path ahead of you driving. Stay alert and check your blind spots. Stay consistent and match your speed to the flow of traffic. Maintain a safe following distance and apply brakes when needed. I don't do anything that takes my attention away from driving, including talking/texting phone, eating/drinking, fiddling with the radio. Ask yourself the "What if?". Being proactive on the road can reduce accident risks and contribute to a safer driving experience for everyone around you. Doing your part to promote and be safe should be a personal commitment and a continuous improvement to reduce traffic-related incidents and fatalities. Don't be afraid to report any unsafe conditions.