Driver education begins in the passenger seat

While my siblings watched movies on their portable DVD players or played video games on their phones, I was watching.  Watching my mom and dad as they navigated the car and reacted to situations on the road, but I also watched what was happening outside the vehicle.   I noticed the other drivers on the road, where we were going, and how we got there.  By age 6, I could provide directions to almost every location in the town we lived in.

Why was I watching?  Well, I have ADHD, and because of that, my parents restricted my phone and screen time until I was in high school.  At the time, I hated those restrictions but looking back, it did more for me than help my ADHD; it made me a better driver when I was old enough to get my license.

When I finally got my driving permit at age 15 after completing my online driver’s ed course through school,  I realized quickly that I knew what to do and how to do it.   Unlike my siblings, who drove around for the first 15 years of their life with their head down, I had been watching and learning.  Not only did I know how to operate a car, I knew where I was going.  Because I was comfortable, my parents allowed me to practice driving with them. My parents did not give my siblings the same opportunities because they were not as confident or capable.  It was stressful for my parent to let my brother and sister drive, but they never seemed to have the same stress when it was me behind the wheel.

My parents also signed me up for 6 hours of on-the-road driving school through my school. This was optional, but it was extremely helpful in preparing me to take my driver’s test and drive independently when I turned 16.  In addition to my on-the-road instruction, my parents and I came up with a contract that reinforced practices that would make me a safer driver and help prevent deaths due to driving.  Following those rules in the contract protected me, the people in the car with me, and others on the road.  The rules covered everything from who I could have as a passenger, when I could change the music on the radio, and even when I could adjust the temperature in the car. The contract had some items that I was required to follow forever but also had things that would expire in time as long as I did not have issues on the road. 

I have found myself in situations where unsafe driving was occurring. In most of those situations, those drivers did not have the experience I had with driver’s education. I always encourage those friends to pay attention to the road while they are a passenger and promise that driving will get easier and safer if they do that. I will always strive to avoid being a distracted driver by avoiding cellphone use, eating, and other distractions while driving. I also work hard to avoid distracting other drivers while I am a passenger.  I help navigate because I am good at that, which I find to be very helpful to other drivers.

These experiences have made me realize that restricting the use of electronics, including phones and DVDs, not only for drivers but for passengers may be an effective way to reduce the number of deaths resulting from driving. Watching and learning as a passenger for 15 years instead of watching our phones will significantly impact the quality of the drivers on the road. Everyone should complete an online driver’s course at school and at least have 6 hours of professional on-the-road instruction; this should be mandatory and free.  I also think all parents should use a driving contract with their kids tailored to their needs.  

The one benefit of technology on the road is the advancement of GPS for directions.  I suggest we find a way for this helpful resource to work in a vehicle while restricting other cell phone features. Maybe we could find a way to incorporate the same type of GPS technology into all cars.  

This essay got me thinking about all the other things kids miss out on learning because of technology, I am hopeful that as we realize the impact that looking down at our phones has on how we learn how to be responsible and successful members of society, we will find a way to combat that problem.