Liberty High School’s parking lot has seen a lot. From speeding students to the occasional small crash, some see Liberty’s drivers as unnecessarily risky or even downright unsafe. But where did these troublesome driving habits come from?

One explanation for this chaos is the demonstrative aspect of teenage life. For many, getting your license is a rite of passage, and gaining that privilege before your friends is something worth flexing. 

“All you have to do is be out there at lunch and listen. They’re squealing tires. They’re trying to look cool in front of their friends and going way too fast,” security guard Jon Kinsley said. 

In fact, the lack of risk aversion shown by students extends beyond the Liberty parking lot and into the surrounding neighborhood. 

“We get calls probably once every couple weeks from citizens out in the community about our kids’ reckless driving,” Kinsley said.

However the need for social validation is not the only cause for teens’ crazy driving.

Driving schools can also impact how students drive.The majority of Liberty students have gone to either 405 driving school or May Valley driving school, and some have gone to schools in Issaquah like the Defensive driving school or 911 driving school. While there isn’t a clear consensus of what school is best, many Liberty students have said that May Valley stands out. 

The attraction of May Valley driving school is that its curriculum is far more interactive and engaging than other schools.

“The curriculum is more comprehensive and memorable,” sophomore Aiden Knutzen said.

Theoretically, this would make May Valley students better drivers, as they are likely to have learned more, but the instructor at May Valley would put his feet up on the dash, Burton said, leaving the impression of lazy or unfocused teachers. 

Others argue that 405 is a better school. 

“I know that 405 practices in my neighborhood and they seem pretty dedicated,” junior Aisha Mulder said. 

For some, a high level of dedication from the teachers is necessary. Many teens are lucky and have parents that can spend time teaching their kids how to drive. 

However, “if your parents aren’t very involved in your life, then [drivers ed] could be helpful because you have that person to come to that shows you how to drive,” Burton said. 

In the end, the benefits of drivers ed depends on the student and whether they choose to drive safely and cautiously, or continue to screech their way into the school grounds each and every day, continuing to strike fear into my heart, student Elanie Tsang said.