Opinion By J1 Reporter Avril Duran

The Omaha metro is afflicted with painfully misguided and miseducated drivers. This issue not only affects the Marian community, but the city as a whole. It seems like now more than ever teenagers are hitting the roads with poor guidance, insufficient instruction and surrounding drivers that are uneducated as well.

In Nebraska young drivers may begin driving as soon as the age of 14 with the accompaniment of a licensed driver over the age of 21. This means for the Omaha metro that 8th graders, once they obtain their school permit, can be hitting the road. This can increase the amount of accidents, pile ups and traffic that is already evident in Omaha. The education of these drivers is tested by a driver safety course or a 50-hour certification form. This is not sufficient enough for new drivers in a congested city like Omaha.

Aside from the young drivers in Omaha it seems that many drivers on the road are unsure of themselves. It seems that some people of Omaha have forgotten how to use their blinker, how to zipper, merge and yield to oncoming traffic. Drivers like these inflict danger onto others on the road. Accidents may be easily caused by these types of careless drivers. Another way some drivers of Omaha act carelessly is by using their cell phones or screens within their car. When stopped at a red light it is rare to see someone not on their phone. Changing a song or a quick dial can lead to danger to the driver themself or to those surrounding them. The use of a cell phone while driving can be deadly. It is incredibly important to be aware of others even if you are abiding by all laws and regulations.

Unfortunately Omaha is not the only city that struggles with this issue. Any city major or minor with roads is subject to accidents and tragedies. Young men and women are taken too soon due to the ignorance or incompetency of drivers on the road. The choice to use a cell phone, drive under the influence, or not obey road laws can quickly put others in danger. In my own experience a distracted driver led my older brother and I to roll into a ditch when we were only 16 and 14. Even though we were abiding by the traffic laws, the misconduct of others on the road put us in immense danger.

To avoid this major issue I believe the course to gain a school learning permit and license should be more detailed and be tested to a more intensive degree with a more rigorous curriculum. Consequences should also be heavily enforced on drivers that drive recklessly and carelessly. The implementation and fulfillment of these two suggestions may lead to safer cities, but most importantly safer streets in our Omaha.

What has been your experience driving in Omaha? Leave a comment down below.