Fuel Your Brain, Then Your Car

Every 16-year-old looks forward to the very freedom of getting their license. Pulling up to school in a car, giving rides to their friends, and experiencing the feeling of ultimate freedom. We all know Driver’s Education comes before the car keys, but it is not every teenager’s favorite part of driving. Learning the rules of the road is crucial to the safety of the new driver and the lives of the drivers on the road. Becoming a safe driver does not need to be an undesired task and can be implemented in such ways that teenagers are eager to learn the rules of the road. Safe driving can continue to be displayed on our streets.

Driver’s education implements a strong foundation of driving skills and safety. It includes time in the classroom and on the road. Learning about the laws of a driver’s state is just as important as physically driving and learning the laws of the road. Classroom education can also highlight the importance of driver judgment and common sense. New drivers can then get on the road and practice the skills implemented in the classroom. Driver’s education courses are able to discuss and teach about the various situations drivers may encounter. An example of this would be teaching about differing weather conditions and enacting plans on how to handle harsh weather conditions when driving. Another example would be to educate students on what to do in the case of a car accident. Classroom discussions are pivotal for establishing well-rounded drivers in situations that may not happen as frequently, whereas physically driving a car allows new drivers to practice in congested areas, a more common driving threat. According to the Patterson Law Group, between 2018 and 2019, Texas had over 3,600 fatalities by car crash (2021). To make matters even worse, more than 2,500 teenagers are killed each year by car crashes (Barnes firm). This is not an issue that can be disregarded or shoved to the side. Poor driving skills should be confronted as soon as they are presented. We cannot live with fear while driving, but we can also not live with the mindset of, “this will never happen to me”. Shedding light to each of these scenarios and creating an established environment of learning the law of the road will reduce the number of deaths due to driving.

One of the most considered solutions to reducing the number of deaths on the road is to bring back driver education to public schools. Driver education courses are oftentimes expensive and not every family is able to afford them, especially if they have multiple kids. By bringing back driver education to public schools, parents can be at ease knowing their children are learning from reliable resources. Students are also able to look forward to driver’s education courses as it places them one step closer to being more independent. Classes in schools further strengthen the knowledge students will have while driving on the road and form a deeper understanding and importance of driver’s safety. Another solution to reducing deaths on the road is to provide parents with the tools of teaching their kids how to drive. Public schools should provide a packet for parents on how they can productively train their kids on the road. Not only will the course in school provide a lot of awareness of road safety for students, by providing resources for parents, schools can assure safe driving skills are implemented when driving with their students. Most new drivers can agree that their parents have said, “no phones on the road” or “do not play your music too loud”. Yet, all new drivers have seen their parents pick up their phones while driving. I think it is important to remind parents that they are setting an example for their kids on what responsible driving is. If parents do not want their children on the phone, changing the music, or eating while driving, then they should lead by example. These two productive steps will educate student drivers and allow for safer driving on the road.

Moving to Texas for college has presented me with a whole new type of driving and a whole new set of drivers. The five lane highways and sudden exits have presented a lot of stress when driving on the road. In fact, there is an immense amount of speeding, swerving, and an abundance of irresponsible driving on the road. To ensure that I am a safe driver on the road, I always go over my mental checklist before even turning the car on. This includes the obvious such as checking my mirrors and putting my seatbelt on. However, my routine is so much more than what we are initially taught. I set my music before I even pull out of the driveway. This is to ensure I am not switching my music throughout my ride. I also inform my friends that I am on the way to indicate to not text me as I am driving. Oftentimes, my phone is in my bag which sits in the back seat of the car or on the floor of the passenger side. Completing this mental checklist before driving has created a safe environment for me inside the car. If more teenagers can take road safety seriously then smarter and more effective driving can be implemented on our roads, thus making the streets a safer place for everyone.