For many high schoolers, driving and carpooling is critical to getting anywhere in the Quad Cities. Due to the need to drive to and from school, work, sporting events, and parties, carpooling has become an essential part of life for many teenagers.The perks to carpooling are great and include saving money on gas and building relationships, but they can have negative setbacks from backseat drivers and the increased chances of car accidents. So, to combine the positives and diminish the negatives, society has created the shotgun rider position.

The shotgun position in the car has rapidly evolved in importance. The job now has as many responsibilities as the driver, possibly even more. The seat is not only a seat; it is a privilege. The position has several jobs that, if failed, can result in the loss of the position. ShotgunRules, a website completely dedicated to the explanation and importance of the seat, laid out some of the following jobs for the shotgun rider:

1. Be alert of traffic, including accidents, pedestrians, and, most importantly, cop watch and speed cameras.
2. Be in charge of all navigation so the driver can keep all attention on the road.
3. Keep the driver awake at all costs on long drives.
4. Prepare food for the driver, so they are free to keep their full attention on the road.
5. Text for the driver and control all music, preferably matching the mood of the drive.
6. Control the driver’s Pokemon Go game screen.

While there are bound to be more rules than listed, these still serve to explain several of the biggest responsibilities held by shotgun passengers. Jordyn Haessler, senior, added another rule to the list. “One rule that I like to see happen is allowing whoever sees the car first to call shotgun. However, if I’m the driver, I will likely choose my own shotgun rider.”

Failing at any of the points above results in the stripping of the title. C.J. Roethler, senior, said, “A couple of weeks ago I was riding shotgun on the way to a party with my friend. As usual, I was supposed to be keeping a strict lookout on the road for any traffic problems. While I was texting, my friend hit a huge pothole that caused him to get a flat and a dented rim. As a result, we had to push the car up a hill and change the flat in twenty degree weather. My buddy told me I had been stripped of my shotgun position for at least three months.” While it may seem harsh, it is of utmost importance to always have someone trustworthy as the right wing in a car. A great shotgun rider can help prevent many accidents and crashes in the future.