Hi my name is Abby I am 17 and soon graduating from high school I took drivers education class in school way before I was ever behind the wheel of a car. Driver’s education is so important because it teaches you the rules of the road and safe driving habits. Some of the habits it taught me was not to follow too close to the car in front of me I should be able to see the bottom of the tires at all time this will allow me ample space to stop if a sudden stop occurs. Avoid distractions I believe the number one distraction for teens like me are cell phones some of my friends have to have them in arms reach at all times. I put my phone on drive mode and place it in my center consult out of sight out of mind and when I reach me designation then I will address all issues and calls on my phone. Distraction of others in the car my friends love to talk and I need to concentrate on the road so everyone including my mom knows when they get in my car no talking allowed until I am at a complete stop. Some of my friends think I’m corny and dumb for these rules but I am responsible for my car and my insurance and both are not cheap!! Their parents fit the bill but since my dad died my mom doesn’t have the monies to provide me that luxury. I also took in the car driving lessons from a retired PA State trooper he was instrumental in keeping me safe on the road. He had the patience of a saint and solidified the importance of safe driving in the world we live in. Steps that can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving one way is to suspend licenses for a month and make it mandatory for people young and old to take refresher driving coarse on safety behind the wheel to be able to get their licenses reinstated after the month. If there would be stricter rule for driving I believe people would be more aware of bad driving habits. Increase the age of getting a license from 16 to 18 in some states. Some teen drivers are reckless, speeding, passing when it’s not passing zone and not paying attention at all. I have seen many near misses in my schools parking lot all from distractions whether it was too many friends in their car, loud music, texting or talking on the phone. Sixteen year olds are just not responsible enough to be driving a car. Seat belts, all states should be required to wear seat belts there should be no accident anywhere that people are ejected out of their cars. I personally have not experienced a car accident when it happened but I have seen the effects of the side of the road. My boyfriend recently rear ended someone. I told him many times that he drives too close but he never listened. He was driving to work and the truck in front of him turned and he hit him and then veered off the road into a grassy area so no others would be involved. He was ok but his car is totaled and the people in front of him were ok as well. This would be a great time for him to have to take a refresher class on safe driving. I know he will be more careful when he can afford a car again but to instill good habits and awareness a mandatory class is essential. Some of my friend drink and drive they are not of age to drink legally but they have this idea that they are smarter than me. I try to take their keys, I volunteer to be the designated driver because I don’t drink but I feel helpless when they refuse. Most times they say they only live a few blocks away from where ever the party is but as I am aware most accidents happened within a mile from home yet another reason why the legal driving age needs to be higher. If they are 16 or 17 drinking if their parents have to pick them up perhaps they would not drink alcohol in fear that they may get in trouble from their parents. I may be the exception but I had to pay for my own car and my own insurance but I take things serious when I’m behind the wheel. I stay within the speed limit, I don’t take risks, I recall everything that I was taught in class as well as behind the wheel training with driver’s education and when I with my friend I let them know what to do and not to do but not as a distraction. I would like to think I am a safe driver by the way I drive and I strive to keep others around me safe as well.