The biggest worry of any first-time-driving sophomore is getting out of the parking lot. At our school, we have the regular parking lot on campus (called the Main) and our District Athletic Complex (commonly known as the DAC) across the street. I have experienced unsafe situations in both lots due to the recklessness of new drivers. After school in the Main, people get impatient and try to push their way into the line leaving the lot so they can get home quicker. I have seen countless near crashes due to aggressive, speeding drivers backing out of their spots without regard for the cars around them. The DAC provides similar dangers, because the combination of careless driving and the sea of students walking around the lot requires cautious driving that is uncommon for teenage drivers. Despite the knowledge that students are walking out of school, many students barrel down the rows in efforts to leave school faster. Furthermore, people are irresponsible and scroll through their phones while moving forward in their vehicles. The other day, I saw someone with their phone directly in front of their face moving through the lot. Although they were moving slowly, their lack of awareness of the world around them could cause them to hit people at any time. The pressure to get out of the parking lot quickly after school and the stress of running late to school in the mornings means that the parking lots are never safe environments, and both situations of reckless driving have consequences. One Friday in my junior year, I got a text in the middle of the day that my car was hit in the parking lot. Even though the person who hit my car was just parking, there was a considerable dent in my car’s bumper because of the speed they were going in their haste to get into school. The lack of attention to detail while driving in the school parking lot is astounding, but what is even more frightening is the knowledge of the innumerable driving threats present in the rest of the world due to similar distracted, careless driving that has become a staple in our society.
The risks of driving could be alleviated by a proper Driver’s Ed class, which is an essential step to becoming a safe driver. While studying for the required written driver’s test gives some basic information about what driving is like, Driver’s Ed prepares you for your time behind the wheel. For me, the class was a beneficial experience that helped me feel more comfortable driving. I learned how to change lanes, the importance of following distance, the consequences of distracted driving, and what to do in rare situations so I am confident in case of a pickle. Furthermore, Driver’s Ed provides a safe environment to try driving in the real world with the support of a trusted adult, reducing stress levels in new drivers and creating a foundation of confidence. I was lucky to have my mom’s driving instructor who is very passionate about what he does. He taught me countless tips related to driving that I still use every time I drive. His help taught me to be a more cautious driver while also giving me more faith in myself that I could drive alone. Through my Driver’s Ed experience, I learned that the assurance of doing the right thing while driving is crucial for cautious drivers, and if more people are confident in their abilities, the potential for future accidents will diminish.
The leading causes of car accidents are preventable, and any education to help reduce those risks would be beneficial to reduce the number of fatal accidents. The most important habit to initiate is driving with phones out of reach. Teenagers especially struggle with distracted driving as a result of their phones, so learning the consequences of their dangerous actions is essential. To make that happen, I think it would be beneficial to have a class during the school day that teaches driving. With the advances in technology, there could be effective driving simulations along with information essential to safe driving. Simulated crashes due to distracted or reckless driving could help students experience the consequences of driving irresponsibly without putting themselves or others in harm. However, the bottom line is that we need to be aware of the potential dangers of driving every time we get behind the wheel. Driving’s commonality makes it seem like a safe thing to do, but without full consideration of the risks it imposes, we could severely harm ourselves and others on the road. Therefore, keeping its dangers in mind and having a solid foundation of driver’s education would help prevent fatal accidents in the future and hopefully lead to a world of safer driving.