Driving is an exciting and terrifying step that you have to take in life.

You’re responsible for a gigantic piece of moving metal filled with so much technology, your belongings and passengers. It’s overwhelming.

It’s so exciting for teenagers to finally be handed the keys to a car. You won’t have to rely on your parents to drive you anywhere and you won’t have to use your bike or walk. Not to mention that you can also decorate your car however you please and blast whatever music suits your fancy.

I recently got my documents for my permit and I’m so excited to start planning for actual driving lessons.

However, driving is also very nerve wracking at the same time because of all the other drivers on the road. You can’t have your focus only on what’s ahead of you, your music or your passengers; you have to have your full attention on every single thing around you. You never know what could pop out of a corner or side street. 

Know what every sign means, never assume you have the right of way, make sure your car is parked how it should be, always have your permit/license, etc. At first it all sounds easy and you might be like, “I got this, I’m fine! I’m not gonna get hurt!”

Even if you are wearing your seatbelt, which you should always be, crashes are still likely. The streets are always a dangerous place to be, which is very unfortunate because we just want to get to where we need to go and listen to our music freely or talk to people on the phone freely. We can never assume that we’re safe.

But as long as you follow the rules and have your full attention on the road, you’re going to be okay. Wear your seatbelt, turn off notifications on your phone, and make sure you’re fully sober and awake before getting behind the wheel.