Have you ever accidentally hit the curb with your car? Have you ever ran a red light, hit barricades, or potholes? Or jammed so hard to your music that you miss the traffic signs?
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
Many teenagers make multiple mistakes when driving for the first time. We spoke to several who shared their experiences.
Omaha Julissa Soto, 22, said when she first learned how to drive she was unbearably timid.
“My first time driving, I drove on the interstate and was very nervous,” Soto said. “Honestly, I don't even think I was driving the speed limit, I was going 20 miles per hour and it was snowing.”
Going that slow isn’t something she advises. However, she shared some of the things she wished she had learned.
“When you drive you need a lot of patience and calmness,” she said. “I wish I would've had that.”
Several people don't always have that kind of patience when they drive. And, that can be a huge issue.
More often than not, you likely live near your house or store. So, why rush? Especially, when there are pedestrians and kids all around us.
Omaha Sahory Martinez, 18, started driving and said certain vehicles made her nervous to drive near.
“Due to past experiences,” Martinez said. “I wasn’t a fan of big semi-trucks. My mom took me to the [Gretna] Outlets and two semi-trucks were right beside me [while driving]. I started crying and having an anxiety attack.”
Driving alone isn't something she recommends. She offered some advice that would help teens feel safe.
“Get someone that you're comfortable with so they can help you out.” Sahory said. “…don't be afraid to try anything new, make sure you keep trying ‘til you get it down.”
Many teens don't often ask for help when they start to drive. And, that can cause a lot of anxiety and stress.
We all start as beginners, but that doesn't indicate that we cant learn and try to be better if we ask for help.
Omaha Joselynn Ramirez Jimenez, 17, began driving for the first time last year. She explained how she was nervous that she would get pulled over.
“I was on the way to see my best friend, which was six minutes away. It was my second time driving and we ended up going to Downtown [Omaha] and I was going on a one way… it was scary. I didn't really know all of the laws of the streets.”
It's important to look at all the street signs. Joselynn shared some advice she wished she would have learned:
“...don't get into [driving] quick and do it the right way cause the law will always catch up to you if you do it the wrong way,” she explained. “Learn every single thing about the way you're supposed to drive and your laws because that's how accidents occur.”
Before you begin to drive, it's always important to study the laws of the streets because it helps us keep everyone safe and us as well.
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If driving makes you nervous, check out these professional driving schools...
- All-Metro Driving School, 817 Driftwood Dr. Papillon, NE 68046, 402-689-8985, Home | All-Metro Driving School (allmetrodrivingschool.com)
- Cornhusker Driving School, 3101 N 108th St. Omaha, NE, 68164, Home Page (cornhuskerdriving.com)
- Bob’s Driving School Omaha, 11319 P St. Omaha, NE, 68137, Bobs Driving School Omaha
Story written by Yaretzy Soto Garcia, 17, is interning for the Latino Center of the Midlands Siembra Nebraska Internship Program. Additionally, she is a social media content creator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations and writer for Hiya.