Driving:
Something More Serious Than a 16-Year-Old’s Dream
When
a teenage finally turns 16, one of the first privileges that comes to
mind is driving. The thought of driving wherever one wants, blasting
music at whatever volume they desire, driving their friends
everywhere, and being able to simply have the freedom of driving are
all no longer a dream but now a reality. However, when dreaming of
driving, few teenagers ever think about the responsibilities that
driving actually requires.

Many
teenagers are taught how to drive by their parents. They learn how to
safely brake, complete a three-point turn, hold a steering wheel with
“10 and 2”, and much more. While parents often teach teenagers
the mechanics of driving, most parents don’t teach their new
drivers the responsibilities and tragedies of driving. These
responsibilities include giving all of one’s attention to the road.
This can only be possible when avoiding distractions, like texting
while driving. More than three thousand people die in car accidents
every day. Sadly, the number one killer of teenagers is car
accidents. Many deaths from car accidents are from teenager and young
adults who were driving while distracted. The impact of being a
driver is serious. That one text message or call a teenager sends or
receives could claim their life or the life of some innocent driver
or passenger. Moreover, distracted drivers often forget to buckle up.
This is a responsibility of the driver, and failing to do so could
have serious consequences as well. Making the mistake of forgetting
to put on a seatbelt can quickly throw a car accident victim into the
clutches of death.

It
is important for divers to realize the implications of being a
driver. This is even more important for teenagers, whose lives are
often claimed in car accidents. The choices teenagers make as drivers
can impact their life and the lives of others. It is crucial that
teenagers exercise good driving techniques and judgements.