Beyond the driving test: Helping Arizona teens become safer drivers

Maria Wojtczak

Submitted photo/DrivingMBA

As a driving instructor, my favorite moment is when students recognize hazards, slow down, create space and adjust without instructor intervention. That’s when I know they’ve moved beyond simply operating a vehicle to thinking like safe drivers.”

OPINION — Getting a driver’s license means freedom for teenagers, but for parents, it can bring fear and anxiety. In 2024, 2,320 teen drivers ages 15 to 18 died in auto crashes and more than 80,000 were injured.

Passing a driving test is just the beginning. In Arizona, teens generally need 30 hours of supervised driving practice, but operating a vehicle isn’t the same as making safe decisions in unpredictable situations.

Sudden stops or lane changes, unpredictable pedestrians and weather issues can quickly create dangerous situations for new drivers. Quality driver education helps teens learn to recognize hazards and respond safely.

This National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 18-24, marks the 20th annual observance promoting safer driving. Here are three important steps families can take to keep kids safer behind the wheel:

• Practice beyond the basics. Help teens gain experience on freeways, at night and in rainy conditions. Teach them to scan ahead, check blind spots, maintain safe following distances and anticipate hazards.

• Invest in professional training. Research driving schools, read reviews and ask for recommendations. Choose instructors who emphasize defensive driving and real-world decision-making. High-tech simulators can help students practice responding to dangerous scenarios, such as tire blowouts, before encountering them on the road.

• Make safe decisions nonnegotiable. Require seat belts, ban cell phones, limit passengers, demand adherence to speed limits and forbid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Parents should model these habits, too.

As a driving instructor, my favorite moment is when students recognize hazards, slow down, create space and adjust without instructor intervention. That’s when I know they’ve moved beyond simply operating a vehicle to thinking like safe drivers.

Longtime driving instructor Maria Wojtczak is CEO and co-founder of a Valley driving school. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.