Road Realizations

Growing up in a middle-class family in the suburbs of Atlanta where most teenagers get their driver’s permit at fifteen, driving was as ingrained in my adolescent experience as football games and homecoming dances. I never studied the basics of driving as comprehensively as I did with the S.A.T.’s. Most things came intuitively, with practice, and there was the added benefit of modern technology. I had rear-view cameras and motion sensors to inform me of my surroundings; be it a passing car or a bumper in front of me. With a glance of the camera or a beep of the sensor, it was fairly easy to become a passable driver.

My cavalier attitude is not one that is unique to me; almost all the teenagers I know feel similarly about driving being casual fun or a social necessity, but no one takes it that seriously. Unfortunately, it often takes a sobering experience to reinforce the reality of how operating a vehicle is a matter of life and death; especially to a demographic of young adults who are prone to approaching everything lightheartedly. Statistics report that one in five teen drivers will get into an accident their first year of driving and that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for American teenagers. Yet when we get our license at sixteen, we’re preoccupied with the freedom of driving to our friend’s house instead of acknowledging our weighty responsibility.

My fragile grasp of driving was revealed when I accidentally rear-ended a mailbox. I had grown solely dependent on my camera, but the mailbox was too close to be seen onscreen. This epiphany revolutionized my approach to road safety and my appreciation of drivers ed. I refamiliarized myself with the basics, rather than glossing over them. I retrained my lazy habits to utilize my senses instead of relying on sensors. I now prioritize using my mirrors to check my surroundings and always double checking. To this day, I am so grateful that my realization came in the form of a mailbox, rather than a living being.

Over-dependency on technology is a leading cause of driving-related deaths. Be it teenagers who are addicted to social media and apps, or even older generations who rely on cameras in lieu of their weakening senses, all demographics of drivers are affected by technological advancements which tempt us into overlooking the basics. In these modern times, proper education is more important than ever to combat the rising rate of vehicle-related accidents. If one has a strong foundation of proper methods, they are less likely to accommodate their weaknesses through technological aid. Furthermore, they will be informed of the dangers of relying on imperfect innovations, as well as the mortal risks posed by distracted driving when it comes to the opposite spectrum of technology-derived accidents.

All drivers should learn to drive without technology and pass driving tests with covered cameras. Implementation of these rules during drivers ed will lead to safer roads and longer lives.