High school students often desire the freedom of driving when they turn 16.

Junior Deontae Webster, who is in the process of getting his license, said, “Driving makes me feel responsible and more independent, but not too much scared.”

Teens often choose to drive their friends, which can lead to distracted driving.

Mr. Andy Nester, who has been a driver education instructor for 21 years, said drivers can be distracted easily.

“Distractions like cell phones, multiple friends in the car, or listening to music so loudly that it impairs the driver’s ability to understand all that is taking place around them can lead to an accident quickly.”

According to the National Center of Health Statistics, car crashes are the leading cause of death among people 15 to 20 years of age.

In addition, statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that the fatality rate for drivers ages 16 to 19 is four times higher than any other age group.

Crash rates are the highest among 16- to 17-year-old drivers who are driving in the first six months after getting their license.

Over 3,000 teenagers die every year from car accidents, according to Teens in the Drivers Seat, a safety program for young drivers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

Icy winter roads do not help the accident rate.

According to Rhode Island Personal Injury Attorneys of Gemma Law Associates, Inc., traffic accidents increase during the winter months. Twenty-four percent of weather-related car crashes happen on icy pavement, with 15 percent happening while there is snow or sleet.

With the freedom of driving, teenagers must understand that driving is risky for everyone on the road.

Junior Josh Roberts got his license Jan. 3.

Roberts said the challenge of being a good driver is staying focused and being aware of everything that is going on while on the road.

“The scariest thing about driving is that you always have to check your surroundings and people around you,” Roberts said.