Too many Arizona drivers are unprepared for the road; we must change that

Maria Wojtczak

Submitted photo

Driving is not a rite of passage, it’s a life skill and a life-or-death responsibility. Every time someone gets behind the wheel, they’re piloting a two-ton death machine that can do incredible damage if it’s not handled properly. Drivers need to learn the necessary skills to navigate our roadways and understand how to apply the rules that are in place.”

Arizona’s rapid growth has brought new opportunities, businesses and residents to our state, but it’s also put more drivers on our roads. The increased traffic comes with increased risk. In 2023, Phoenix recorded the highest number of traffic-related deaths among large U.S. cities with 307 lives lost. It’s a tragic statistic that we can’t afford to ignore.

As someone who works every day with new and inexperienced drivers, I see firsthand how quickly things can go wrong behind the wheel. The most common problems I see are speeding, distracted driving, impatience and drivers who either don’t know or simply disregard the rules of the road.

Effective, comprehensive driver education can save lives, especially for novice drivers. A solid program builds good habits, reinforces knowledge of the rules of the road and teaches real-world application through guided practice. Too many parents think, “I know how to drive, I’ll teach my teen,” but that often means passing down bad or outdated habits or misinformation.

Driving has changed. The rules have changed. While parental involvement is essential during practice driving, it’s just as important to work with a reputable school focused on competence and readiness, not just getting through the process quickly.

Unfortunately, many families, and even some schools, treat driving like something routine that just happens as our kids turn 16. Some schools play into that mentality, offering programs designed to get teens in and out quickly with minimal effort. This appeals to parents who want convenience, but it’s not in the best interest of the driver or others on the road.

National safety standards recommend 100 hours of supervised driving before a driver gets their license. In Arizona, the requirement is just 30 hours, and even that is loosely enforced. Many new drivers are on the road with even less experience, because parents simply sign off without any formal log or system of accountability. Parents should hold themselves and their teens accountable. Expose them to different driving scenarios and conditions such as busy intersections, driving at night, rain, etc. Talk through decisions as they make them on the road and look for training programs that offer defensive driving.

Arizona also needs to get serious about enforcing the laws that already exist. For example, Arizona is a hands-free state, yet I see drivers with phones in their hands every single day. Speed and red-light cameras should also be brought back, they are helpful tools for law enforcement and create consequences for those who break the law. We’re one of the worst states in the country for running red lights.

There are lawmakers who believe a required four-hour driver ed course will solve this problem, but it simply gives parents a false sense of security. They think, “My teen passed the course, passed the written test, passed the skills test, they’re ready to drive.” But none of that is enough to truly prepare someone to drive.

Driving is not a rite of passage, it’s a life skill and a life-or-death responsibility. Every time someone gets behind the wheel, they’re piloting a two-ton death machine that can do incredible damage if it’s not handled properly. Drivers need to learn the necessary skills to navigate our roadways and understand how to apply the rules that are in place.

Let’s implement change on our roadways. It starts with taking the responsibility seriously and putting in the work from both parents and new drivers.

Editor’s note: Maria Wojtczak is the founder and owner of DrivingMBA, a driver training school with locations in Scottsdale and Glendale. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.