Teen Driver Challenge

I was so excited when I turned 16 to get my driver’s license. I had already taken Driver’s Ed through virtual school and knew I was ready for this new chapter of freedom. I would be free to drive to the beach, the mall, my friends’ houses, or wherever, or so I thought. My parents made me sign a contract outlining the rules of my driving privileges, which I felt was excessive at the time. This included me not being able to drive on any main roads until they felt I was ready, limiting the number of people I could have in my car, which included having my friends’ parent’s consent.

A few months later, I was fortunate enough to be gifted a used car. But there was a requirement – I had to take my local sheriff’s office’s Teen Drivers Challenge course. I really didn’t want to waste my entire Saturday taking the class, but my parents said it would be the only way they would consider letting me drive further. This is an 8 hours course specially designed for teens that includes classroom time regarding all passengers wearing seatbelts, driving under the influence, etc., along with real situational driving hazards. During these situational driving hazards, a deputy was driving my car with me in the passenger seat. He simulated hydroplaning, driving off the road, hard breaking, and a few other common incidents that can lead to an accident. After the deputy demonstrated these maneuvers, it was my turn to run through the course. It was an eye-opening experience to know what it would feel like and given instructions on how to prevent common mistakes that could lead to a dangerous situation.

About a month after I took the course I was driving when a large container slid out of the back of a pick-up truck a few vehicles in front of me. The car in front of me was able to quickly swerve, but as I didn’t see what had originally occurred, I found myself quickly approaching a road hazard in a lot of traffic. I instantly remembered what I just learned from the driving course and was able to avoid the container without causing an accident. At that moment, I was truly thankful for my parents making me take the Teen Driver Challenge.

I wish all teen drivers in my county were required to take this course prior to being issued a license. Just this past August, some friends and classmates of mine were driving home on a highway at night. It had been raining earlier in the evening and the roads were still wet and slick. Unfortunately, the car in front of them brake-checked them and the driver found herself in a position of slamming on her brakes going 65-70 mph, with little to no driving experience. The car went across 4 lanes of traffic, spinning out, and ultimately going head first into the side guardrail. While the driver and front passenger were in shock of what occurred, one of my friends who was in the back seat had taken his seatbelt off prior to the crash, and ended up in the front of the car. He was unconscious.

He would remain unconscious for 14 days, almost dying at least 3 times within those 14 days. Even after he woke up, he still wasn’t out of the woods. He is 6’5” and was an avid, talented basketball player. His family and him are thankful he’s alive, and after months of therapy he’s starting to get back into his new normal. However, he will never be the same. He has a traumatic brain injury that has altered his life. He can’t regularly attend high school, and has to do virtual school to complete his degree. He doesn’t play basketball like he used to and his dreams of playing college basketball are now nothing but a dream.

The girl driving who was driving the car that night is my age. The Teen Driver Challenge is free and she had every opportunity to take the class. I would never place the blame of the accident on her, because I know accidents are going to happen regardless of the amount of training and experience anyone has. But I can’t help but wonder if she had taken the course, could she have prevented the impact that occurred. Would my friend be sifting through college basketball offers deciding where to play? If only he had worn his seatbelt, because everyone else in the car night had theirs on and walked away with minor injuries, if any.

Regardless of the “what-ifs,” these two experiences have left me with valuable lessons. I feel that I have the tools to drive safely, to keep those in my vehicle as safe as I can, and to respect the road, as it can be very unforgiving.