Safety for teens while driving is a very important public issue that should be addressed before teens start driving. Driving in general can be very dangerous, so it is important to teach driver safety to avoid these dangers while on the road. Having knowledge of driver safety prevents accidents and poor situations while driving. Having drivers’ education classes offered in the community and throughout schools is a very convenient way for teens to have the ability to learn about driver safety. Drivers’ education should make sure that along with the fundamentals of driving they are teaching about the ways to be safe while doing it. They should talk about the ways you can be distracted while driving and how to handle those situations. I was not able to take drivers education in school, but I know that if I did, I would want there to be conversations about driver safety, so that I would know things I may encounter while driving and how to stay safe in certain situations.
Teen drivers face many challenges while on the road today. There are many factors that go into driving, and it can be really easy to become distracted while on the road. One of the main distractions while driving is phones, especially for teen drivers. Texts, calls, notifications, and social media are all factors that make phones a distraction while driving. As a teenager it can be very hard to ignore or not engage in these things, making them a hazard while driving. They can easily cause accidents by focusing on something that isn’t the road and what is going on around you. A way to overcome this challenge would be to avoid using phones while driving as much as possible. On some phones there is a way for you to put your phone in driving mode where it will silence notifications on your phone, won’t let you use certain apps, and gives you the ability to send auto-replies to messages, if necessary. By using this feature, it can minimize these distractions while on the road. Another challenge that a teen driver may face is distractions by other passengers. Driving with other people can make it hard to focus on the road because of certain things that may be happening in the car or getting distracted by conversations and taking your eyes off the road. When you want to be present with the people you are with you may start to forget that driving should be your main priority. I think a way to overcome this challenge would be to wait a while before teens start to have other passengers like friends in the car. It is best to get some experience and be comfortable with driving and your abilities before you add distractions while you’re driving. Teens should start with family members like parents or siblings that won’t distract them too much. Once the driver feels comfortable enough, it will be easier for them to handle having other passengers in the car, while still being able to stay focused on the road and what they are doing.
Another thing that you have to be very aware of while driving is the things that are happening around you. I know that I have seen and experienced being on the road and things are happening around me that I need to be very cautious of. There have been situations where someone breaks out of nowhere or someone pulls out in front of me, and I have to be completely paying attention and fully focused on the road to stay safe in these situations. If I was distracted by my phone or a passenger I may not have been able to act as quickly to prevent an accident. This is why limiting distractions and understanding how to be safe while driving is so important. There are many unknowns that can happen while you’re on the road and you have to be prepared for these situations.
Teens should know that driving is a privilege and understand the dangers that can come with it. They should also know that these dangers can be avoided if they take the right measures to stay safe, focused, and attentive while driving. Schools should try to make it a priority to have a driver’s education class and address the driver safety issue to make sure that teens are aware and know how to stay safe while driving. By learning and practicing safe driving you are not only protecting yourself, but others on the road as well. If everyone commits to practicing safe driving, it will make being on the road less dangerous and even save lives.