The wonders of driving

OK, I know teenagers aren't the greatest drivers in the world. I understand that completely (I've totaled a car already). But why do people, like middle-aged men and women, have to automatically assume that we're horrible drivers as soon as they see a young person behind the wheel?

I was on my way home from St. Louis on the interstate, when I happened to notice a large red pickup behind me. Next to me were two cars who apparently were being maneuvered by two of the most oblivious people in the country. As for me, I'm a 17-year-old who is very aware that the truck will run over me in anger if I don't get in the other lane to let him pass. I'm already going 80 mph. Where is this truck going? Is it holding a heart that will give someone a new life and must make every second count? Like a sensible driver, I look in my mirror and notice the man waving his arms as dramatically as he possibly can. Should I gladly accept his gesture, immediately move over into the other lane, cause the biggest pile-up in St. Louis history while he goes on his merry way to apparently save lives? Maybe not.

The man grows more impatient, and I look over at the other two drivers who have intent expressions on their faces like they're listening to an audiotape that is teaching them Siamese. To make a long story short, everything eventually worked out. I slowed down a little and moved into the other lane while the man in the pickup passed. Of course, he couldn't resist the opportunity to give me a sarcastic wave and mumble something obscene. I didn't flip him off as I had wanted to do. I'm better than that and my mom always says matter-of-factly, "Honey, if you do that, they'll shoot you." So to avoid being the victim of a drive-by interstate shooting, I refrain from using such gestures.

Now, I realize I'm an accident-prone person. But people should really learn to tie things down better on their vehicles if they're moving at 70 mph or more. I had just gotten off the exit ramp and had the great fortune of getting behind a truck that was carrying a large load of unidentifiable items. The timing was perfect. In the two seconds I looked down to change my jams, the rope holding these items down magically came untied. I looked up in time to see a large white square object falling about 15 feet in front of my car. That's where my years of stunt driver training came in. Nothing happened, but I did want to drive back and laugh at the people while they tried to pick their things back up without getting killed.

Like I said before, yes, I know teenagers are more likely to have accidents.

I, myself, have overcorrected and driven into a creek. But parents, after your child has been in a wreck, don't jump to any irrational conclusions.

Just calmly ask them if a big red truck or a white square object was involved.

Sam DeReign is a senior at Oran High School.