In a time where people cutting up parkway traffic is celebrated through social media, safe driving habits are very integral. Too often, on TikTok or Instagram Reels, teens are exposed to content by irresponsible individuals. These videos often show people driving erratically on highways – crossing three lanes at one and cutting between cars in an attempt to “save time.” What’s worse, these individuals often blame those driving normally for going “too slow.” Despite some opposition in the comments, many defend the action and commit the same sins on the road. The existence of these dashcam videos being posted on the internet normalizes this erratic and dangerous behavior. Nowadays, whenever I am on the road it seems that I would always encounter someone driving dangerously, trying to save fractions of a second – if they are even “saving” time at all. Yet, the more likely explanation might be that these drivers are not trying to save any time. Instead, drivers may be choosing to cut up cars solely for the thrill of it. There are examples of video games where the whole premise is to cut up traffic. Indeed, doing something dangerous is exhilarating. However, no amount of thrill for the user justifies putting others in danger. The normalization of cutting up traffic via social media platforms is dangerous and irresponsible of the tech giants. Content involving intentional dangerous driving should be shadowbanned and regulated on social media platforms.

On those same platforms, there exists content of people rolling over from dangerous driving. One video that stuck with me was this accident on the Robert Moses Causeway – a long bridge that lacks proper barriers on the sides of the road. In that video, a person was cutting up traffic and crashed into a car driving normally. The car being operated erratically proceeded to roll over and barely stayed on the causeway. The commander of the vehicle could have easily lost their life through the accident. Thankfully, everyone was okay. Nevertheless, examples like these – where a driver is punished for their dangerous driving – should serve as reminders that death is closer than we think. While operating a motor vehicle, one split second decision could lead to a funeral. Around forty-thousand people die from a car crash every year. By comparison, fifty-eight thousand U.S. soldiers died from the entirety of Vietnam – remember, the forty-thousand people is for one year. These incidents and statistics should remind everybody that driving is extremely dangerous, and it is important for everybody to practice safe driving habits.

While taking the DMV’s five hour pre-licensing course, I learned that texting while driving is the equivalent of driving under the influence of alcohol. Knowing this, I firmly keep my phone out of my reach while driving. However, I unfortunately learned that it is not just electronics that can distract drivers. One day, I bought bubble tea and was driving in bumper to bumper traffic. I was drinking the bobba while driving. While we were starting and stopping, I picked up my cup to take a sip – this simple action caused me to miss the deceleration of the car in front. Fortunately, that time I looked up in time to slam on my breaks, avoiding an accident. It was at that moment I realized I might as well have been checking on my phone everytime I look away from the road. Indeed, that cup of bubble tea was not touched for the remainder of the drive. Point being, even the seemingly benign actions can have grave consequences. It is important to always be focused on the road – no matter how experienced one might be. When I first started driving, I was extremely cautious. Yet, as I got more used to the road, I became more comfortable doing accessory actions – such as drinking bubble tea. This mentality that one is very experienced and comfortable on the road is extremely dangerous. This mentality causes an ignorance that one does not need to practice the normal safe driving habits. I hope that my anecdote can serve as a reminder that safe driving habits should be practiced at all times. Treat everything as if it was one’s first: with caution and care.

My mom always says, “the more you drive the more careful you get on the road.” As we experience more and more close calls, we become more and more aware of the dangers of the road. For teens, they might not have had time to experience these close calls to be careful on the road. Hopefully, through education and anecdotes, more teens can practice safe driving techniques and not participate in irresponsible actions such as cutting up traffic. Either way, it is important to treat every trip in a car with respect – as death might be closer than what most people think.