With the biggest grin I’d ever mustered, and the millisecond long flash of the camera, my life had become complete. It was my 16th birthday, and at that point, the happiest day of my life. I had just received my graduated driver’s license. That little piece of plastic featuring my dime-sized photo was much more than permission to drive without my mother’s presence. To me, it was the beginning of what I thought would be a very liberating and exciting life.
The world was at my fingertips, I could go anywhere — and do anything that rising gas prices would allow. I was as free as a bird. That was roughly four years ago. Since then I’ve had my share of experiences that have lived up to my then sky-high expectations, as well as those that have introduced me to the less fun side of driving.
My name is Ryan Foster, and I’m a 20-year-old college student. Born and raised in Detroit, I now live in Washington, D.C., attend Howard University, and work as a fellow for Public Strategies who works on the Think Before You Drive program on behalf of Bridgestone Americas. I write for my school newspaper, participate in campus organizations and now serve as a blogger for Think Before You Drive. I’m terribly excited to share my experiences and thoughts on teen driving with anyone who might listen, so here we go!