“You ready to go?”, my dad asks from the front door. He is patiently waiting while I gather up my scraps of bravery to attempt driving. We step outside into a balmy spring evening. The sun is setting over the horizon, casting a glow along the treetops. The birds are chirping a sweet melody as if to wish me good luck.
I slide into the driver’s seat with slick hands and a racing heart. I quickly wipe my palms on my jeans. In my nervousness, I’ve forgotten the keys. Luckily, I am the only one in the car with my heart about to beat out of my chest. My dad hands them over with a kind, knowing smile. I take a deep breath and start the ignition.
Getting your driver’s license is one of the most exciting milestones as a teenager. Those 16 years feel like eternity when waiting for that first taste of freedom. One day, you are completely dependent on others; the next, you are opened up to the world of independence. This is such an exciting time of life; however, it comes with much responsibility.
The education required prior to getting your license is crucial to the safety and wellbeing of everyone on the road. In my experience throughout driver’s education, we watched countless videos showing tragic crashes. These videos were jarring to watch; however, the images have stuck with me to this day. Life can change in an instant so we must stay vigilant. It is easy to get too comfortable behind the wheel, forgetting how dangerous a distraction can become.
The distractions of today’s world are many. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, text messages, music: the list is endless. All these packed in a little handheld device which has become the reason for many car crashes. These things on our phones are designed to grab and keep our attention. But attention is exactly what we cannot afford to give away while driving. Utilizing the “Do Not Disturb” setting on my iPhone is the habit that has helped me stay focused on the road and not my phone. I get it. It seems like a quick Snapchat to a friend or text to your mom would be harmless, until its not. These distractions can cause devastating scenarios to you or others around you.
Driving around with your friends in your backseat is one of the highlights of teenagerhood. However, with the wrong crowd of people, peer pressure can cause you to do something against your grain. That’s why Minnesota has a law stating you may only have one non-family passenger for six months after getting your license. At first, this rule seemed unreasonable until you think of the number of accidents involving peer pressure. This was a difficult rule to follow when multiple friends were asking me for a ride. However, I chose to be obedient to both the law and my parents. They encouraged me to stand up for the right thing and how to kindly say no.
Learning to drive is a gradual process. Maneuvering a vehicle through rush hour traffic may seem daunting, but experience will give you the confidence to get through it safely. It is required to get many hours behind a wheel while having your permit, however, this is not nearly enough to feel sure of your driving capabilities. It is critical to you and the others on the road that you obey all traffic laws. It takes time and effort to learn the ins and outs of driving. Experience is what will teach you how to handle the different scenarios that are thrown your way.
As a teenager, I know how often safe driving advice goes in one ear and out the other. Many times, it is presented as a long list of rules designed to suck the fun out. When those rules are explained with real-life scenarios, the effects are. These strict guidelines that teenagers hear make them want to rebel. Delivering this same message with a valid reason why will stick with the youth a lot better. Having real life examples or videos are necessary to get the point across.
In the end, driving is just about freedom, it comes with much responsibility. It is critical that you build safe habits when you are behind the wheel. One instant could change the course of your life. Every time I get behind the wheel, I am making a choice. I strive to always make the right one and I hope you will too.