Turning 16 comes with a lot of fun, as well as responsibilities. Besides the glamorous ‘sweet 16’ celebrations, there is the new privilege of being able to get a driver’s license. Many teens dream of this moment, driving independently and having a new sense of freedom. However, as exciting as it is, staying safe behind the wheel is often underestimated and sometimes, even forgotten. As someone who has witnessed car accidents, it can be said that driver safety is a priority that all young drivers must understand.
Taking the driver’s test, we learn to follow all the rules. Stop for 5 seconds at the stop sign, or slowly break behind the white line at the red light. These are examples of some rules that get watered down the more we drive. The more we progress as drivers, the more people tend to drive recklessly. As a result, accidents occur more than they should, and lives get taken away as a result of poor driving. This is information almost everyone is aware of. There are countless stories on the news of accidents. It isn't unknown that driver safety is a problem. “It won’t happen to me” is very commonly said and believed, that is until it does happen to you.
It was the summer of 2022 and I had just gotten my license. I wasn’t completely careless but I let loose a little. I was with my friend and we were driving near an intersection. Failure to pay attention, I didn't notice the light had turned red. As the left lane cars were turning, I realized the mistake I had made of not breaking. However, it was too late. My front side hit the side of another person's car. The crash wasn’t too bad, the airbags didn't even go off. Nevertheless, it was still one of the scariest moments of my life. Fortunately, I broke just enough to not injure myself or anyone else. My heart was pounding and I didn’t know what to do. From that day forward, I made a promise to myself to never lose my attention when I am driving. All it took was one second. One second that can cost lives. I didn't think such a thing could happen to me. I didn't believe it until it did happen. This moment greatly impacted my life. As I was still young, I realized how many more accidents have happened because of irresponsible driving. This event opened my eyes to how underestimated driver safety is, and it makes me think of all the other young drivers who are given the privilege of sitting being the wheel.
Car accidents can go way beyond damage to the car. It has happened in many cases where accidents lead to deaths and injuries, or property damage. Being given a license is not only understanding you are to be considered, but it is also understanding that you are not the only driver on the road. Being aware of your surroundings is not only for your safety but the safety of others. As much as you don't want to be a victim of another driver's choices, you don't want to harm other drivers as well. If everyone understood the lives at stake when choosing to make bad decisions, accidents would probably not occur as often. The moment you enter the public road, you and everyone else are responsible for one another as well as yourselves. That is a huge misconception that many young drivers forget, you're not alone on the road. The ‘no texting’ and ‘no drinking’ billboards aren’t there for show, they're there because it needs to be reminded that driver safety is important. Those signs, as well as every other advice for driver safety, need to be taken seriously by all drivers.
As stated, I finally truly understood how important driving safety is. I was lucky enough to only hurt the vehicles and not any people. But some aren't as lucky as I am. Many people have lost their lives due to speeding and driving under the influence, or other irresponsible acts in general. Young drivers can get so caught up in the moment that they fail to recognize their surroundings, as what happened to me. Tuning sixteen is more than the candles and cake, it opens a new chapter of adulthood, which includes getting behind the wheel. As a young, but more cautious driver, I urge all drivers, especially those just starting, to pay attention to the rules and to drive with your attention 100% on the road. All it takes is one second to cause a great amount of damage.