Pressing the Breaks on My Fear of Driving

Pressing the Breaks on My Fear of Driving

I’m sure that most of us, whether it would be learning how to drive, watching someone drive, or doing the act of driving itself, have thought that driving was intimidating, even just a little. As I turned 15 last year, I realized that I would need to learn how to drive sooner than later. My responsibilities as a future adult were beginning to grow, as I started high school, joined school clubs, and even acquired a debit card. So, my parents thought I would get an instruction permit, much like most kids my age, to start learning how to drive. But, I didn’t.

As The Zebra Car Rental polls, 40% of teens and 25% of adults are scared of driving. One in every four teens are too scared to even get a license, citing the amount of casualties while driving yearly rivaling death counts of wars such as the Vietnam or Korean Wars, as well as the additional responsibility of protecting not just yourself, but those who are in your car or on the streets. I was also a victim to these fears. While carpooling with friends and others, they were reckless. They would drive 80 on the highway and mess around in the streets, even in local neighborhoods where kids regularly played. I became anxious when the adults wouldn’t use the safety options available to them while driving. Thus, I became too scared to start learning driving, and didn’t get my permit.

However, whether you have lots of experience driving, or you’re just starting out on learning to drive, we all can help each other reduce the fear that is driving: through taking small precautions, by simply being mindful. These actions can be as simple as simply checking the speed limits, spending more time to be patient with pedestrians crossing the street, or putting our phones away while driving. Though each step seems small and only takes seconds to act, these seconds could be what stands between safety and an accident. By simply paying more attention to the road and each other, we can bring driving fear down together.

While I was too scared to start Drivers Ed, my sister took the step and enrolled in our local class. There, she learned that Drivers ed not only teaches you basic rules, but also teaches you on how to pay attention to the road. By experiencing the class, my sister felt less fear when driving, and learned simple steps to bring safety to herself and to everyone else in the process. Drivers Ed is not only important to teach youth on driving, but also monumental in reducing the fear of driving altogether.

Now, a year later, I’m finally starting my first course of drivers ed. My fear of driving still exists, it’s inevitable. but even if I’m still scared, It’s my responsibility to be a safe driver, to protect myself and others. And Drivers Ed, alongside small precautions, will help me become a better driver.