Driver Education Initiative

“I can’t discuss this now. Driving and Facebooking is not safe! Haha.,” was the last text message from Taylor Sauer’s phone before passing away after crashing into a slow-moving semi. She was on her way back from Utah State when she was on Facebook talking about the Denver Broncos game. This problem sadly is not solitary. According to drivesafeonline.org, in 2018, there were 36,750 deaths related to car accidents and of these fatalities, 5.7% were due to the driver texting and driving or talking on their cell phone. As a nation or even a community, we need to reduce dangerous driving habits amongst our teenagers.

The first step in changing these dangerous driving habits was implemented in 2019 when 48 states in the U.S. banned texting while driving. In some states, such as Alaska, you can be charged with a misdemeanor which carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and one year in prison. The fines associated with texting while driving range anywhere from less than $50 to more than $500, even for a first offense. While police officers are tackling this issue, parents and teenagers need to work together and save lives. “Your Car, Your Rules,” if your teen driver wants to text while they drive your car, the keys should be taken away. Watching your teens habits through phone applications that allow parents to monitor and lock devices as necessary work for some. Being direct and blunt with your teen by informing them of the laws in place in their state. The best system, in my opinion, is to set a good example. When you are in the car with your teenager, do not text and drive. Inform them of the consequences of texting while they are on the road. Distracted driving causes plenty of accidents and fatalities every year.

The second step would be implanting driver education yearly. According to a study, conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, young drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket and 24 percent more like to be involved in a fatal accident. Furthermore, Teens taking driver education are less likely to be involved in crashes or to receive a traffic violation during their first two years of driving. Teen crashes and fatality rates are highest at ages 16-18, these reductions are especially meaningful. Driver education appears to make a difference in teen traffic outcomes at a time when risk is highest. Making this an annual or biannual requirement for every motor vehicle operator would provide a routine refresher course on driving safe.

I have been in an accident due to driving irresponsibly. The other driver was reading their email and ran into me. Luckily, I made it out without a scratch, however, the other person was fined and totaled their car. Even though I wasn’t the one who caused the accident, it still makes me think twice about picking up my phone every time I get in the vehicle. My philosophy is, I do not want to be responsible for taking someone else life because I was being selfish.

Poor driving, due to lack of or lapse in education and distracted driving can be fatal. We should be asking our teenagers, family, and friends if the text they send is worth dying for. Taylor may or may not have been informed of these things. We learned of her mistake to learn from her mistake. The only way out of this national issue is teaching and leading by example.