The large, blue pickup truck swings from behind into the adjacent lane, driving in front of my car, when I recognize the Northridge High emblem on the back windshield as the truck proceeds up the road, weaving to and fro.
Sound familiar? Not only seen in my high school's parking lot but on the real road, this reckless teenage driving occurs everywhere.
Why must we wait for a student's life to be taken in order to grab the attention of our school administration? The school parking lots need to have more adult supervision in order to prevent an imminent death or serious accidents from happening. There have been enough fender benders to have already served this warning. Why isn't anyone listening?
I am not allowed the freedom to drive to school because of the fear that's been instilled in both my parents after they've observed, firsthand, car accidents at my school, as well the close calls of students on foot being nearly hit in the school parking lot.
Reckless teenage driving occurs when student drivers hit the open road and neglect to observe and demonstrate the rules and laws they were taught in drivers' education.
Many students in my high school begin to disregard all they learned about being a safe driver. Their licenses, which should be acknowledged as a privilege, are disrespected by these young drivers and their freedom on the open road becomes a Russian roulette.
Contributors to this dangerous driving include using iPods, talking with other passengers, cell phones, illegal text messaging and music turned up too loud, just to name a few. These immense distractions are the cause of pointless deaths and increased insurance rates.
The fight for the newest, fastest car isn't exactly what my generation pursues but merely having a car and the freedom to drive it. Freedom with a car is something that shouldn't be taken for granted, but appreciated. Many teenagers are obviously fearful of driving at first; conversations with friends of mine or from those I've overheard about taking their driving tests convince me that more student drivers are aware and fearful when being graded. After a few months though, teens tend to become more comfortable with a vehicle. Eventually most of them become too comfortable and fall to a more relaxed state, slipping easily in that gear that follows them to their grave. Chasing cars isn't cool; living to chase your dream is.
Periodically teens will improve their understanding of driving laws. They may attend an "Alive at 25" course at Northridge, which teaches teens in an adult and frightening manner the proper way to drive after they have had an accident or just want to brush up on their driving skills.Otherwise, many adolescents have a feeling that they can control both the car and the road when driving, which can be a terrifying thought.
Not only are these inexperienced drivers harming themselves but the lives of other people, including their classmates, who are also driving on the road.
The more the community offers as far as drivers' education classes, strict driving laws and more aware police officers and school administrators, the safer these students and the community will be. After all, we are the educators of the next generation, and I wouldn't want my child encountering the same problem of reckless teenage driving that we have now.
Teens must realize quickly what they need to do to keep themselves and others out of harm's way while driving, and by doing so, show others what road to follow.
Morgan Briesmaster is a junior at Northridge High School. She enjoys snowboarding, dancing/tumbling and smiling. E-mail her at 11mbriesmaster@ davis.k12.ut.us.
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