The Route to Responsible Driving

Nearly every teenager restlessly counts down the days until they can get a driver’s license. It’s a momentous life event and another significant step toward adulthood that brings them more freedom. It also demands more responsibility, and some teenagers are more responsible than others. Many get so caught up in the excitement of driving, they sometimes forget or disregard the dangers that can come with it. Some will push limits with risky behaviors while behind the wheel – speeding, texting, or even drinking alcohol. Some are lucky enough to get away with those behaviors and never experience any mishaps, while others face harsh consequences, including jail time, serious injury or even death.

Even the best driving skills, behaviors and traffic safety measures will not make someone immune from all travel hazards, and accidents still can happen. That’s why it’s so important for all drivers – teens and adults alike – to pay full attention to the task of operating a vehicle. A driving class can help ensure they are able to do that and are aware of all the precautions to take. Most people already know … or think they know … what they are and aren’t supposed to do on public roads, but a driving class will test their knowledge, providing some reassurance or perhaps a rude awakening.

As stated before, many new drivers forget or disregard the dangers they can encounter while behind the wheel and will just “drive by the seat of their pants” rather than responsibly follow all the rules of the road. A driver’s class can condition drivers, particularly teens, to stay alert for those dangers and make smart decisions to avoid or safely navigate them.

To reduce the number of deaths, states might consider stricter enforcement of laws already in place for common violations like speeding, failure to use seatbelts and driving under the influence. Those laws probably would be less tempting to break if there were more severe penalties for breaking them. Another strategy would be the use of TV and social media public service announcements that appeal to the emotions by dramatically illustrating the impact a driver’s poor decisions could have on someone else’s life. When someone dies in a car accident, the tragedy affects not only them but also their family, friends and even pets. So, such PSAs can help raise awareness of that fact and, hopefully, influence young drivers to always pay attention and avoid distracted driving. The message or theme would be “Anytime you drive, you are putting many lives at risk, not just your own.”

Most of my friends who drive are responsible drivers, but a few fit the mold of the stereotypical bad teen driver, often speeding or texting when behind the wheel. Some have been pulled over by police. Some have been in accidents. Some haven’t been caught … yet … and continue to drive irresponsibly. Usually, when people continue to get away with bad and dangerous driving habits, they won’t stop, due to ignorance or arrogance. It sometimes takes severe consequences, perhaps a bad injury or the loss of something or someone to change their attitude. Obviously, avoiding a consequence is the best option. This is where more effective messaging through TV, social media and driving classes could come into play, encouraging young people to drive more responsibly.

It’s important for teens or any drivers to realize that their lives and the lives of others are way more important than texting an “LOL” to a friend. Real friends would understand and prefer that you wait to reply when it’s safe to do so. Some teenagers mysteriously think that texting while driving is a way to fit in with the “cool” kids – kind of like what smoking was for previous generations of teenagers … although smoking takes longer to harm you than distracted driving. Being “cool” should not take priority over being alive.

I would say that I am a responsible driver. If I ever use my phone while in my car, it’s only when I’m off the road and parked. If I receive an emergency call while driving and unable to pull over and stop, I have my phone set to speaker mode, so I can keep both hands on the steering wheel and stay focused on the road while speaking. I think I could become an even more responsible driver by keeping my music at a volume low enough to hear what’s going on around me, as well as putting my phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode. That would keep me from ever being distracted by any notification I get while driving. I could even take a follow-up driving class to ensure I remain fully aware of all I should know to be as safe and responsible as possible while I drive. Everyone should honestly evaluate their driving skill and correct anything that could result in distraction of their full attention away from their driving.