Thanks Mom and Dad

Driving: A Dangerous Proposition

By Zane Harper

Driving is a necessity in some instances, so as a male teen driver, the cost of insurance is astronomical. For me to convince my parents that I was responsible enough to drive and a sound insurance risk, took time. It also took lots of lessons from them. Knowing the statistics of accidents attributed to distracted driving was a huge wake up call for me. The school does lots to educate teens on distracted driving, but the real wakeup call came from my parents. Before I could drive alone, I was made to take solo driving lessons from a qualified Drivers Ed teacher. He came every Sunday and we took to the streets for hours. I understand that paying for this kind of instruction is not feasible for all kids, but it was a necessity since I was unable to take Drivers Ed at school. Before every student driver can drive, they should be required to take a comparable course. Insurance companies should have a mandatory amendment that requires this life saving time behind the wheel. In addition to a required hands on driving course, insurance companies may find an audience if they required that the future teen drivers write an essay on the statistics. I know I would have gladly written and researched if it meant that I would be a candidate for insurance.

In addition to making me take driving lessons and write an essay on the statistics of distracted driving accidents, my parents have obligated me to run an application on my phone that sends a message that states I am behind the wheel and will talk when I am parked or to my destination to every phone call and text message that I receive while my car is in motion. There are many free applications for phones that send a similar message to would be distractions that helps to keep the driver safe. Another idea that my parents have instilled in me is the self-confidence to tell anyone that I ride with that cell phones are a NO when I am their passenger. As a teen, it is hard to tell peers that you are uncomfortable with any of their actions. I have been told since I was young that my safety and well-being is the responsibility of myself, first, and others next, when I am in a passenger situation. Adults cannot imagine the feeling of dread and embarrassment that goes along with asking a peer to please NOT use their phone while driving, whether I am in the car or not. Instilling in young people that it is OK to advocate for your safety is critical. There is no popularity contest that will be won if both you and the distracted driver are both in the hospital, in jail, or worse, being buried. I am completely safe to message my parents and let them know that I need another ride or form of transportation if my suggestion to stop is taken wrong and causes any discomfort to my emotional well-being. Again, it is OK to self-advocate. Teens need to know that.

There are so many things that I did, and my parents did prior to giving me the keys. I wish that all teens could have some of these experiences that would shape them into more responsible and safer drivers, for themselves, and for the rest of the world that needs to use the roads.