Once a month, the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center holds a usually court-mandated class for reckless teen drivers on the dangers of speeding and irresponsibility on the road.

This month, the class was instructed by a police veteran of twenty-seven years that had truly seen the real dangers  of reckless driving first-hand when in the line of duty. The class itself is three and half hours, with a written test at it’s conclusion and provides a comprehensive yet eye-opening experience for all that have to endure the longevity of the lesson.

Throughout the class, a common theme seemed to loom over the entirety of the class and really gave a vivid interpretation of an adults view on teen recklessness and the consequences that come with it.

Taking the class was surely an experience this journalist will never forget. Never have I seen so many articles on teens that were mercilessly killed due to their lack of responsibility on the road. But probably the worst part of them all was that almost 99% of all the fatalities had to do with speeding.

Personally, speeding is one of the most idiotic things a driver can do. As stated in the lesson, if the speed limit was 65 and it took 20 minutes to get to where you were going, jacking the speed up to 80 would only shave off a measly 3 minutes off your entire trip. That just sounds like a waste of a risk. Why put yourself and everybody on the road at risk, just because you want to get there just a little bit sooner?

The last thirty minutes of the class required a parent to be present. During the final leg of the lesson, the teacher showed the group results of a survey he had taken throughout the many years he had instructed this class.

The results were honestly shocking and extremely hard to digest. The top five worst drivers he had ever encountered in the class were all caught for speeding at least double the posted speed limit. One person was going 120 in a 65 and another was going 70 in a 25! Imagine if you were outside playing with your child, and a speeder raced down the street going 35 miles an hour over the limit?

The moral of the entire class was to think before you act and to realize what is all at risk when you’re on the road. Personally, I am glad I got to attend the class and I believe I also learned a lot of great lessons along the way. I just hope I never have to sit through something like that ever again!