Student Driving Safety

By Andrew Duval April 3, 2025

 Whether on the roads or in the parking lots, students regularly face a variety of driving-related safety risks when heading to the school. While student driving can prepare adolescents by fostering independence before adulthood, teenagers frequently overstep this privilege by driving without caution, resulting in  a variety of consequences ranging from serious accidents to creating turmoil for staff members. 

With nearly 500 student drivers utilizing the school’s parking lot, there is high susceptibility for accidents to occur as a result of teenage drivers’ minimal experience, risk-taking tendencies and susceptibility to distractions. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teenagers have a 243% higher fatal crash rate in comparison to adults between the ages 30 to 59.  

Although collisions at the school may not occur on a daily basis, students are frequently seen ignoring vehicle safety regulations. Junior Jacob Tsang recalled an instance where his friend put his head through the sunroof instead of using the rear view mirror or backup camera when reversing out of a parking spot. Tsang noted that while this action may seem humorous, it also showcases the irresponsible habits that teenage drivers engage in, as this behavior increases the chance of a collision, violates California Vehicle Code conduct and risks severe injuries or ejection from the vehicle in the case of an accident. 

“While allowing students to drive to the school offers freedom and efficiency, naturally they are still learning how to safely navigate the roads and may pose danger to others,” Tsang said. 

To combat safety concerns, the school input several measures to handle the occasional collisions. Police officers are located throughout campus to respond to reckless drivers and coordinate responses with law enforcement. If any students are injured by a collision, staff members will call the ambulance and ensure they are safely escorted out. According to AP of Student Services Sibel Ilsever, despite their efforts to make the parking lot safer, students frequently yell at administrators and officers while on the job.  

“My friend made an honest mistake and hit a pedestrian with his car on the way to school. He was forlorn that a vehicle that he built from the ground up could cause so much pain to another student,” Senior Lucas Sepe said. 

Ilsever added that when students are caught in car accidents at the school, administration can help facilitate the exchange of insurance if students are unable to communicate between themselves. However, aside from this, the scope of administration response to accidents is limited: Ilsever noted that any accident involving students outside of the school’s property is not the administration’s responsibility. Generally, students are expected to resolve any potential conflicts and exchange information properly. 

“I witnessed a collision in the school’s parking lot when my friend’s parked car got  hit by another vehicle that was trying to turn into the spot next to her, which was very abrupt and shocking. Luckily, the two were able to exchange insurance peacefully without involving staff members. Driving safety at the school must be prioritized: as new drivers, we should put effort into improving our skills not only for our own benefit, but for the safety of our surroundings,” Junior Myia Bhullar said. 

Thus, to stay safe on the road, it is imperative to avoid texting while driving, fully watch the road and drive level headed. Adolescents can also abstain from and discourage their peers from driving under the influence, as alcohol and drug use accounts for 32% of traffic fatalities in California according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.  

With all things considered, driving to school encourages convenience, but also risks the safety of students and their vehicles. Even with the administration’s support and safety regulations, students ultimately bear the greatest responsibility for protecting themselves and others on the road.

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