• Know the Risks
    • Teen Driver Risks
      • Distracted Driving
      • Nighttime and Drowsy Driving
      • Speeding and Street Racing
      • Low Safety Belt Use
      • Impaired Driving
    • Teen Passenger Risks
      • Keep the Driver Distraction Free
      • Help Keep the Driver Alert and Awake at Night
      • Know Why Speeding is Dangerous and Reckless
      • Always Wear a Seat Belt
      • Steer Clear of Impaired Drivers
    • Respect the Rig
      • Order a Respect the Rig Community Toolkit
    • Rail Safety
    • Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
    • External Links and Resources
  • Be Involved
    • Complete an Event / Activity Form
    • Steps to Start TDS at Your School
    • Sign Up & Order Your Toolkit or Request Virtual Access
    • Order a Respect the Rig Community Toolkit
    • Teen Takeover Social Media
    • Social Media Teen Influencer
    • Become a Teen Advisory Board Member
    • Take the Pledge to Keep Our Drive Alive
    • Find Your Regional Representative
  • Take Action
    • Activity Ideas
    • Downloadable Activity Items, Posters, and More
    • Videos
    • Ride With Me @ Home – Parent Information
    • #BeTheChange with Tyson Dever
    • Speaker and Educator Resources
    • Teens in the Driver Seat in Georgia
      • California & Georgia Pedal Kart, Trike, and Drunk Mat Resources
    • Teens in the Driver Seat in Colorado
  • Events & Contests
    • Events and Activity / Outreach Calendar
    • TDS How-to Videos on Demand
    • TDS Safe Driving Summit
      • Presenter Submission Form
    • All-Star Reward Program
      • TDS All-Star Rules
    • Social Media Teen Influencer
    • Extra Mile! Senior Activity
    • Zero Crazy! Activity
    • Ride With Me Activity – A teen-to-parent initiative
    • Teen of the Month
    • Teen Advisory Board
      • Teen Advisory Board Application
    • Driving the Message Contest
    • SponStar Awards
  • You in the Driver Seat App
  • About Us
    • News
    • Contact Us
    • Find Your Regional Representative
    • Partners
    • Private Partnering Opportunities
    • Donate
    • History and Recognition
    • 15 Year Report Card
  • Login

Teens in the Driver Seat

A peer-to-peer safe driving program for your school.

Text iDrive to 1-888-825-1346 for TDS and safety text messages.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

September 12, 2020

Trust Goes A Long Way With Your Teen Driver

By Ed Medina, 2nd Year TAB Member

When people choose to drive they often have to learn what it’s like with other people in the car with them. For people who just got their license and are learning, their family members would have a front row seat to how stressful it can be. I can say from experience that driving with people is a different experience each time. It shows you just how much they really trust you to drive them.

The first person who was ever in the car with me behind the wheel was my eldest sister (30 yrs old). We ended up driving her small, white FIAT convertible in a large parking lot near my house. The whole experience was just about me learning what it is like to drive a car. To me, it felt no different from driving a go kart. But for my sister, I could definitely tell she was slightly nervous even though I never went faster than 45 mph.

My second experience on the road was with my other sister, the middle child (24 yrs old). She was completely different because she seemed more hyper, but nervous at the same time. For my first time driving on the roads, it was pretty fun. She was very helpful and supportive the whole drive, but her need to blast music was very distracting, so I would not consider her the best traveling buddy.

Out of all the members of my family that have been in the car with me, I’d say my Mother was the most paranoid. Just pulling out of the garage would make her grip the nearest thing to brace herself. Every time I drive with her it’s the same thing again and again. But it’s not just me she does this with, she is always stressed when one of us is behind the wheel. I’d guess this was due to the many different crashes and close calls my sisters have been in. I can only imagine what things will be like for me in the future.

I’ve ridden in the car with my Father many times now, but I’ve never been behind the wheel with him. I never offered to drive because I assume it’s the same issue with my Mother. I don’t think he would let someone else drive if he could help it.

Each family member is different, but the same when it comes to me driving behind the wheel – there’s a lack of trust to drive safely. I know when I get my license their trust in me will grow, and I will be able to contribute more to the family and others around me.


Ed Medina is a 2nd year Teen Advisory Board member and senior at Anderson High School. He enjoys playing Video Games and helping others. He is a guy you can count on to support you when you need it and will always be there to take charge and lead others to success.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Article by Gabriella Medina / News / teen driver Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Get Involved

  • Save a Life logo
  • USDOT logo
  • GDOT_sponsors_footer
  • Union Pacific logo
  • General Motors logo
  • State Farm logo
  • Colorado Department of Transportation logo
  • HGAC logo
  • Drive Smart Nebraska logo
  • AAA logo

Copyright © 2021 Texas A&M Transportation Institute

All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
Comments, suggestions or queries? Contact Us!


Youth Transportation Safety Program
c/o Texas A&M Transportation Institute
1100 NW Loop 410, Ste 605, San Antonio, TX 78213-2255
Ph: (210) 979-9411
Fax: (210) 321-1299

TTI Logo

Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3135
Ph: (979) 845-9008
Fax: (979) 845-9848

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.