May-Lin Racinez

Many new drivers experience nervousness due to the risks involved.

With many students eager to get behind the wheel as well as some afraid for their safety, the topic of teen driving has long been debated between students and families. According to CDC.gov’s “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” teen driving crash rates are almost three times as high as adult driving crash rates, indicating that allowing adolescents behind the wheel involves higher risks.

After eight months of driving experience, junior Kainoa Wong views inexperience as a large factor of why teen driving is such a risk compared to adults.

“I would say there are factors that make teen driving a lot more risky than parent driving, and that’s mainly because a lot of teen drivers are new, (so) there’s a higher risk of accidents with teen drivers,” Kainoa Wong said.

Spanish teacher Amanda Vrabel shared that when she was a teen, she was considered a responsible driver, but even she broke the rules a couple of times. Now that she’s older and sees teens driving from a different perspective, she debates whether or not it is actually a responsible decision.

“I think there’s a lot of things that seem, as a teacher, as a mother, very scary, that teenagers might have access to and might want to participate in,” Vrabel said. “Definitely driving, it does seem like 16 is a young age to be driving.”

Sophomore Yuna Wong, who is still in the process of getting her license, believes that licensed teens could drive a lot safer than how they currently are by limiting distractions.

“I actually do think it’s unsafe for teens, but most of the time, accidents happen ‘cause they’re not paying attention enough, or they’re on their phone,” Yuna Wong said. “I feel like if people just prevented those things and actually had their eyes on the road, the number of accidents would be just the same as adult driving.”

Driver’s education is the course that teen drivers are required to take in order to acquire their learner’s permit, requiring 30 hours of learning road safety and driving instructions. Junior Elijah Press emphasized the importance of driver’s education and studying the handbook in order to prevent the dangers of driving.

“Don’t regard the driving ed – the actual written test that you have to take before – as something to do quickly because a lot of it is stuff about the road that you need to know before you actually get in a car,” Press said. “It’s really important to be prepared and take it seriously.”

New drivers can often feel anxious when first getting used to driving a vehicle. Kainoa Wong experienced nervousness while driving for the first time he got behind a wheel.

“I was a little bit scared, but I knew that if I worked hard at it, then I would be a safe driver and it would be fine,” Kainoa Wong said.

Despite the dangers and risks of driving, most teens and new drivers tend to enjoy driving and become comfortable on the road.

“I was kind of scared at first because I never actually drove in a neighborhood or anything. I just started driving on the main road, but I feel like it’s fun driving,” Yuna Wong said.

Regardless of the risks and dangers, learning to drive and taking responsibility is part of many teens’ lives as they grow up and become more independent. Through all the fun and excitement of having newfound freedom, Press encourages teens to keep in mind the dangers associated with driving and to stay safe on the roads.

“I have to remind myself that I’m in control of such a dangerous vehicle, that thinking of it as fun can sometimes distract me from where I’m giving my attention,” Press said. “It’s important, it’s fun and it’s a little scary.”