I have been involved in multiple incidents from the point of view of the passengers. Though I experienced them as a child, there were clear similarities between them. With myself rooted in the backseat, and my mother behind the wheel, all felt well until it wasn’t anymore. The startling jolt out of thick complacency is unforgettable. When we’re in control of these machines, these vehicles, at some point, begins to feel like second nature. We feel like everything is within our control, but the only thing we can control is ourselves and our conduct behind the wheel. I have also struggled as I have learned to drive, wanting to be confident on the road while being fearful of my inexperience. In truth, we must rely on the support and guidance of the adults around us and remain diligent in our habit-building. Even though they were small incidents, they serve as my reminders of how easy it is to lose control.
Speaking as a young woman in her late teens, I know that there are many things I have yet to experience in the world. Flavors I’ve yet to taste, places I have yet to travel, but a car crash is one thing I hope to never experience. At the age of 19, I’m at a weird stage in life where anyone over the age of 25 still looks at me like a child and anyone under the age of 18 believes I have achieved some magical level of maturity simply with time. Unfortunately, I am scarily aware of how inaccurate either assessment is. When we get older, there are certain activities we are just meant to do, goals that we inevitably need to accomplish. One of those is often buying a car and learning how to drive. In this rapidly progressing world, we are far past the point of living off a bicycle or a scooter. You can’t find everything in town anymore; I need to travel at least 45 minutes to reach the closest mall. I believe it is perhaps this framing of being able to drive as a rite of passage that gives many new drivers, especially teens, unwarranted confidence on the road. We perceive driving as a life skill, and it is, but it is not something you can compare to filing your taxes or working your first job.
Getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle when ill-prepared is a risk, not just for you but also for your family members and the rest of your community. It personally took me ages to get behind the wheel. Even at 16, it already felt like I was falling behind, seeing my peers driving to and from school. Going on disallowed trips off campus. As an early college high school student, I could see the way being around older peers affected the students in my program. They made more reckless decisions, desperate to do anything outside the purview of our supervisor. I remember the way they strained against the few rules we had, how their actions adversely affected their academics, and I remember quite clearly when they came in one morning, informing the rest of us how they had gotten into an accident. It was winter, and it was dark, and they were excited, so they were sent flying to the side of the road as a result.
I believe that the driver's seat is a position of power, especially if it’s your first car. It feels nice to have your hands on the wheel, to go fast, to go where you want when you want. That amount of power in the hands of a teen caught between childish allowances and a fight for independence. There are various reasons why teen drivers require special attention, and this is one of them. Driving can feel good, like the whole world is in your control, and that’s exactly the mindset that’s led motor vehicle accidents to become the highest cause of death among teenagers (CDC).
Recently, I had an experience with a friend my age. They had their vehicle, and along with another friend, we enjoyed a few late-night rides. Those rides were fun; we talked about various things, visited parks late at night, and at the end of each night, we were safely dropped off home. Later, during an unexpected encounter, I discovered that my friend did not have his license. It was shocking both that I was unaware and that my assumption that his driving was legal was completely wrong.
There is no perfect way for a young driver to get behind the wheel, but safety must always be the priority. When a driver has not received enough training or is affected by external factors like peer pressure or smartphones, the risk to everyone only increases. To combat this, we need to focus on providing new drivers concerning the quality of their education, awareness, and accountability. We can greatly reduce teen accidents if we prioritize these factors.
Educating drivers plays a crucial role in reducing risks. For a driver’s education program to properly play its role, there needs to be coverage of not only traffic laws and vehicle operation but also the value and importance of responsibility and caution. According to various studies, when teens complete a formal driver's education, they are less likely to be involved in crashes and driving under the influence (Insurance Institute for Highway Crashes). Various states already require driver’s education as a part of their graduated driver’s license systems (GDL). These systems provide a process in which driving privileges are released as new drivers progress through stages. This allows teens to gain experience before being allowed a full driver's license. Systems like this have been shown to reduce crash rates by a whopping 30% among 16-year-old drivers (CDC).
Unfortunately, all by itself, driver’s education is not enough. Drivers often face challenges on the road, and teen drivers face unique challenges that require support and guidance. As time goes on, distractions become more of a problem for new drivers. Screens become more portable and easier to use, especially in the vehicle setting. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, 7% of all teen crash fatalities involved a distracted driver. Oftentimes, the sound of a notification can be a strong temptation for a teen. The sound of a text or a snap or needing to avert your attention to adjust the music. Many teens, like many people, do not believe in the consequences of a glance, but as has been proven time and time again to be a disastrous decision in the wrong moment. Taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 55 miles per hour is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded (NHTSA).
Peer pressure is something teens face in daily life, in school, and outside of it. Of course, this struggle also affects teen drivers. Many teens may feel the need to impress friends by speeding, blasting music, or showing off behind the wheel. Teens driving with teen passengers significantly increase the probability of getting involved in a crash. Young drivers simply do not immediately comprehend the responsibility it is being behind the wheel. Teens are known to be lacking in maturity and situational judgment due to ongoing development, and adding the influence of peers on top of that can lead to recklessness on the road.
Another major and presumably obvious factor is inexperience. Teens are still new to the world, let alone the road. With so many variable factors coming into play when driving, such as weather, roads, and time of day, it is only understandable that teens would be unprepared for the split-second decisions that drivers are often forced to make.
The various challenges that teens face as new drivers can be overcome. With the commitment from both teens and adults guiding them, experience and good habits can be fostered and grow. Guardians need to serve as the role models they want to see in their children. Rules and restrictions can be used, such as curfews, passenger restrictions, and not tolerating or engaging in distractions. Parents can utilize apps like Life360 or built-in monitoring systems to track their teens’ habits, both good and bad. Teens must have a deep comprehension of the accountability they are taking for themselves and their passengers. Safety must be a priority, being able to follow the law, and not to tolerate distractions, as well as being able to speak up if they do not feel safe in someone else’s car.
It isn’t always popular to follow the rules, but everyone wants to stay alive and stay safe. There are many opportunities out there to be a part of change, such as signing pledges to not text and drive or taking part in programs like Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Schools need to continue the inclusion of driver’s education courses that provide comprehensive coverage and not just the basics. Law enforcement agencies can hold informational sessions and collaborate with schools to discuss local driving laws and the consequences of unsafe behavior. Grants and sponsorships can help fund free or low-cost behind-the-wheel training for low-income students, ensuring equal access to lifesaving education.
In conclusion, teen driver safety is not just the responsibility of the teens but also their guardians, schools, and communities. It all starts with a solid education but needs to be followed by reinforced habits and supportive environment. With distractions becoming more and more tempting as technology evolve it is imperative that we teach teens the value of staying focused, of thinking critically and prioritizing safety.