It’s a right of passage – getting a driver’s license is one of the most exciting benchmarks in a teenager’s life. However, new inexperienced drivers may find themselves feeling nervous or unsure as they begin driving a vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), per mile, teen drivers crash nearly four times the number of accidents in any other age group (Weist). Basically immaturity and lack of experience with the rules of the road are the top reasons. In an Eye of the Gale questionnaire, some newbies described some of the cautionary curves of learning to drive well.
LHS junior Matthew Miller said that the lack of courtesy other drivers demonstrate sometimes has him hitting the brakes.
“Some of the biggest challenges that I had to face as a teen driver was initially a lot of the people on the road that would forget their turn signals and stuff like that usually though it was much easier once I picked up on the signs of how people drive,” he said.
Some teenage drivers said that they are afraid of making mistakes on the road and that the unpredictable behavior of the other drivers also accelerates their nerves.
“I feel like highway driving was a little difficult as a new driver because of the increased speed,” said LHS senior Aries Couts.
“Getting in a really bad car crash,” said LHS senior Braylon Fahrer.
LHS junior Evan McCullough said he is concerned about accidentally doing the wrong thing behind the wheel.
“For example forgetting to stop at a stop sign or not using my own turn signal. I am very passionate about using turn signals and not confusing drivers by accidentally letting them get hit or hitting them,” he said.
LHS junior Chanteelynn Alderman said that she worries about a range of things when she is behind the wheel.
“Getting out of the parking lot; it’s scary because of the amount of problems that people have encountered with people not paying attention. Crashing or hitting someone. Whether it be me not paying attention (which I do) or someone is being stupid,” she said.
Some new drivers confessed that they have made some mistakes while driving.
“I got a warning after being pulled over on Memorial Drive, after my van headlights wouldn’t turn on. The cop said that it was okay, and that I just have to be more careful, and make sure that my headlights are fully on even if the system says they are on,” said Miller.
“Worst thing I’ve gotten is a parking ticket, I read a sign wrong in Columbus while at a record store,” said McCullough.
Driving can also be a real gas when funny unexpected things happen. LHS sophomore Emery Tipple told Eye of the Gale that he backed into a ditch with his mother in the car. Fahrer said that he gets a kick out of watching other drivers attempt to back into parking spaces correctly. LHS junior Janessa Mathias said that she was actually doing in-car training when her boyfriend called and her ringtone played the milkshake song. LHS junior Samuel Dobbins recalled a time when his car stalled.
“I was exiting a gas station that was on a hill, and I was coasting down the hill and I was on the road by the time I realized my engine turned off,” he said.
So how do new drivers avoid the everyday typical speed bumps, potholes, and detours?
“Patience is a virtue for a reason. Stay patient and make sure you don’t get ahead of yourself. If you are not responsible behind the wheel, then you should not be behind the wheel,” Miller explained.
“Advice I’d give to new teen drivers is that it’s not hard, learn the basics and just mind your own. Pay attention to your surroundings and control what you can,” said McCullough.
“Be confident, know what the speed limits are(and actually keep that speed), and if you do something stupid make sure there are no LPD cars nearby,” said Couts.
