In the past few years, there have been countless news reports and notices of car accidents in my area. Many of them involve teenagers. Thus, it is important to acknowledge that new drivers are inexperienced and often make mistakes or pursue dangerous actions while driving.

Teen driver safety is a crucial subject that should not be taken lightly. While many teens do partake in driver's education, it is often reflected in the roads they drive that it did not do what was intended. To ensure they have and know the skills to be able to drive responsibly, there should be more emphasis on the dangers of lacking or disregarding their full abilities as drivers. Additionally, driver's training should be helpful with not only the rules of the road but also other miscellaneous factors, such as distractions, that pose a danger to others and themselves. As most driver’s education programs do, they supposedly address this problem. So, teen drivers should have more time on the road with instructors. This would allow more perspective on what it is truly like to drive on the road instead of experiencing it all as a newly licensed driver. Although these teen drivers might be required to have a specific number of driving hours outside of the program, it may not be accurate. It is telling when this is true, and the driver is more inexperienced. That is why more time driving with an instructor would be helpful for the driver and those around them.

However, the problem may not only lie in driver’s education. People of all ages are seen driving with distractions. Things like phones, food, and perhaps even music could all be distracting. While these teens are still learning from seeing others drive, could they possibly be picking up traits they see others use on the road? For instance, phone usage. Despite it being illegal in some states to hold a cellphone while driving, people still do it. Teenagers are included and might be more influenced to do it. Even seeing people use their phones while driving, teens could feel encouraged to do the same. This is a challenge teenagers face even when not driving. That is, social media is dangerous in ways that pressure others into doing what is deemed cool and desirable, which could relate to driving, and also influences the habits of needing to respond and do something for social media. Again, teen drivers are lacking experience as new drivers. To overcome these issues, and as stated before, more driving time with a reliable instructor could improve the skills these drivers need to obtain. As for social media, there should be more coverage across schools and driver’s education programs about the dangers it poses for driving. Teen drivers also need to be aware of social media and should be responsible enough to make their own choices, seeing as they can drive.

Because of teen driver safety, I am not hurt. I have been in three car accidents, all very minor, with a teen driver. All three incidents were the driver's only times an accident happened, and they were not caused by the driver but by others. I am fortunate to have been with an experienced driver because if I were not, I don’t believe I would be in the condition that I am in. Yet, it is still alarming under those circumstances, causing me to be hyperaware of those around me. But people are losing their lives over the smallest actions that others do because they can. Teen drivers themselves are risking their lives while being unaware or careless about how to drive. I do not drive, and anytime I think about learning, I get scared. I don’t think people regard how much could be impacted without teen driver safety. Especially if these drivers are going to be the same ones in the future, there needs to be more recognition of potential dangers. These drivers can't risk everything when the minds of others are unknown and unpredictable.

In times when social expectations and fears of judgment are increased, this is not easy for teens. Yet, there will always be significance in promoting teen driver safety. Everyone, and not just teens, needs to be aware of these life-changing events if teen driving safety is overlooked. It should not take all of these accidents and the lives lost in them for it to be seen as a problem. Neither should it be until you are in a similar situation to realize how frightening it is to face such harmful occurrences. Teen drivers everywhere are deciding to and are willing to be a threat to the public; this is a problem that is not slowing down. To reduce these problems, teens need to be aware of the challenges they will face, and mentors or other leaders should spread more awareness about the issue.