By: Florida Virtual School 

Who remembers the game Red Light, Green Light? The adrenaline-pumping race to the finish line when we were younger. Once you get older, not stopping on red has far more consequences than getting kicked off the field until the next game.

Last year, a driver didn’t press the brakes when the light turned red, and Florida Virtual School (FLVS) senior and teen driver Breanna was almost hit. Although no one was injured, she says the experience completely changed her perspective as a new driver. Now, in celebration of Teen Safe Driving Week, she’s sharing her story to encourage everyone to stay alert on the road.

“Siri, give me directions to FLVS.

In middle school, Breanna experienced challenges with asthma in the traditional school setting, which led her to FLVS. After joining FLVS Flex, she quickly realized she was on the right track. The flexibility of online learning mixed with the comfort and safety of learning from home was the green light she needed to thrive.

And, learning from home was just the beginning. Breanna shared that FLVS unlocked courses that weren’t offered at her traditional school, like Marine Science, where Mrs. Blazi made learning fun and stress-free through discussion-based assessment (DBA) Bingo and other interactive games!

Learning the Rules of the Road

During her time in FLVS Flex, Breanne enrolled in the Driver Education course. “I love the flexibility and how interactive the course is—especially the simulators,” which helped her master the rules of the road through real-life scenarios and eventually earn her learner’s license.

As a new driver, Breanna keeps everything she learned in the course in mind to stay safe on the road, which keeps her alert and ready to react when a near-miss accident happens. Even though she was prepared, she was still left feeling nervous to get back behind the wheel. That’s when she decided to join the Teen Driving Club at FLVS.

Safety Begins with Me

Now, Breanna’s back on the road thanks to the tremendous support of the Teen Driving Club sponsors Robin Sims and Sara Wiggins, who encouraged her to take small steps to regain her confidence, and the club members who offered an open ear. During her senior year, she stepped up to become club president to help build a safe community for students and encourage them to practice safe driving through stories, tips, and activities.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the roads safe. Breanna says, “It’s really important that students study the different types of driving impairments. Even something as simple as being tired from studying can really affect your attention on the road.”

Whether you’re an experienced driver or new to the road, Breanna encourages everyone to stay alert and safe.

Ready to master the rules of the road? Enroll in Driver Education with Florida Virtual School.