The Responsibility that Comes with Driving Privileges

Growing up with two younger siblings and two working parents, I found it difficult to find rides when I needed them. I counted the days until I could walk out of the DMV with my driver’s license and be wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. For me, driving represented freedom. 

My perspective toward driving shifted when the school principal gave a speech to students about safe driving. He equated vehicles to weapons––lives were in our hands. I realized teenagers sometimes mistake reckless driving for comfort behind the wheel. I’ve been a passenger to people steering with their knees and eating while driving. I was rear-ended at a stoplight when a driver turned to grab something from his glove compartment. My mother was rear-ended by someone texting and driving. The common cause of these preventable incidents was the driver’s overestimation of their ability to multitask. No matter how experienced the driver, the risk associated with distracted driving remains the same. 

On average, almost 100 people in the United States die in a car crash each day (iihs.org). Driver education is crucial for reducing the number of deaths related to driving accidents. By teaching defensive driving techniques and giving drivers confidence in their abilities, these courses make drivers more prepared to handle difficult driving situations. They also impart a sense of personal responsibility unto drivers and make them aware of the dangers of driving under the influence (autoversed.com). Young drivers who have taken driver education courses are 24% less likely to be involved in a fatal car crash (University of Nebraska-Lincoln). This disparity needs emphasizing since accident and fatality rates are highest among 16-18 year old drivers. 

To reduce the number of driving-related deaths, our nation first must eliminate the availability of online permit testing. By requiring that new drivers take a proctored written test, we can assure that they’ve thoroughly studied the driving handbook and understand the rules of the road. This method can ensure that teens are familiar with traffic rules upon starting to drive, but it can’t guarantee that people drive with the same capabilities throughout their lifetime. All drivers should be required to retake the driving test at the age of 75 to ensure that no impairments such as loss of vision inhibit their driving ability. In addition to these, the DMV and phone companies must advocate for using the ‘do not disturb while driving’ feature and the police must pull over tailgaters 

Now that I have two years of driving experience, I admittedly worry that my complacency will overcome my motivation to prioritize road safety. To stay safe, I’ll make sure my friends and I avoid driving when we’re tired or upset and keep our phones on ‘do not disturb.’ I’ll make it a habit to tell my friends I’m running late instead of speeding to be on time. I’ll always adjust my mirrors and make sure my passengers wear seatbelts. Viewing driving as a freedom instead of a responsibility puts too much at stake.