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.