Teenagers and driving?

Question

I heard that one out of every five 16 year olds are involved in a serious car accident. Car accidents are also a leading cause of death for teenagers. Should anything be done to reduce this? What do you think could be done?

Answer 1

Driving Safety classes. I took them. Honestly, raising the driving age would only make it so more 18 year olds are getting involved in serious accidents, than sixteen year olds. They need the experience, but with the experience comes exposure. The exposure is what puts you at risk of an accident.

Answer 2

yes its true. It's just that teens get really excited and do dumb things. I am a teen and NEVER got a violation for driving.

Answer 3

There are already things being done to reduce this. In my state, a person under 18 must have a permit first, and they HAVE to have the permit for a year before they can even take the test. They now have to be 16, rather than 15 to get a permit. It is illegal for teens to drive anyone but family members for the first six months they have their license. Also, they must have 50 hours of driving experience to take the test when they have their permit, and ten of those must be at night. Also, the curfew for teens when they are driving is 11:30 PM unless they have a note from an employer. This has reduced lethal car accidents in minors by 75%. But then again, some drivers will just always be idiots.

Answer 4

I think they need better and longer training. AND MORE parents that know where the kids are going instead of just turning them loose.

I think 16 is fine to start driving if they have enough practice behind the wheel with an adult. I dont agree with making them wait until 18. 17 maybe but not 18.

Id rather a teen hit into me then a drunk driver. What lesson are we showing out teens if they dont do much to a person that has had several DUI's It doesn't show them to be very responsible behind the wheel.

Children are going to fight in the military at 18, I just think it would be wrong to let them die at war, and they cant even drive or drink. My son wants to go into the air force, I think the entrance age to the military should be at least 22.

SOME parents dont teach the kids to drive, in snow rain and ice, and when they end up in the situation they freeze up and have an accident.

Answer 5

Changing laws and making stricter regulations on teen driving would help this however, changing laws can often be a very drawn out process. I believe it is the parents responsibility to make sure their child/children know how serious a responsibility driving is. There is also a program called "Tell-my-mom" that issues a bumper sticker to be put on the teens car so that if they are caught driving recklessly it will be reported.

http://www.tell-my-mom.com/Hows-my-driving.htm

Also it is important for the parents to ensure the teen has sufficient driving instruction (this may very teen to teen), and that teens do not have many distractions while driving (too loud of stereo, too many friends in the car)

I believe schools should also include driving awareness programs as part of the curriculum. They should talk about drunk driving, how little one has to drink to be impaired, and the devastating affects reckless driving can have on ones life and the lives of those around them.

Answer 6

You're right. My driving instructor told me this right on the first day of driving classes a few months ago. The reason why this happens is because teenagers have never had this privellage (and yes...it is a privellage not a right) before, therefore they don't really understand the risks of getting behind the wheel. Most teens pass there driving test (we call it a "G2" in Canada) without attending a driving school. They get behind the wheel, and get hurt or in an accident very quickly. I think that one way to fix this issue is to make driving school the law. Driving instructors are very good people who want to make our roads safer. That's my opinion if you ask me.

Answer 7

Where I just moved to a kid from the high school dies every year. Because of drinking or drugs. I think parents should be more aware of what thier kids are doing and how they drive. Parents are responsible for their teenagers. But i do believe that they should not raise the age to 18 because then they are not able to drive with their parents and learn they pushed out on to the highway with any company with them. If it stay at 16 then the kid has a chance to drive with the parent to the grocery store or drive with them when they get the chance. Thats just my opinion.

Answer 8

I personally don't think it is JUST the teenager's fault. I have seen MANY adults who can not drive. Teenagers know about driving by what they see. Adults don't often consider that their actions affect those around them. Adults should take the initiative to watch over their teens and make sure they teach them everything they know about driving.

I don't think they need to raise the lisence or driving age, I think they need to make it harder to get the lisence. You can be 32 and drive as bad as a 15 year old with a permit. They should look at your discipline and academic and attendance status at school. I think if you do well in school you are most likely to do well out side of school.

Answer 9

you seem to expect a person to play amazing guitar solos the first time they pick up a guitar. damn they just started driving what the hell do you expect? do you expect a person to be a perfect driver when they have just gotten their license? people have to learn by experience, and no nothing can be done to prevent teenagers from getting into crashes, but they could make cars safer for them. if you raise the age requirement they will still get in accidents because they are inexperienced. its not about their age, its their lack of experience with driving.

all you people that said raise the age requirement, f*** you. we need experience when we still live at home with our parents, so they can help us out. do you realize that we will probably be in college or live on our own at 18? who will teach us to drive then? and when your a college student or live alone you NEED to be able to drive, where I live there are basically no reliable forms of transportation other than driving(no subways/metro). how would they get around? should they walk half a mile to the grocery store and have to carry all their groceries back? think about your answer before you post it please...

Answer 10

Don't give cell phones

Make sure they know cars are not toys

Speed limits are not a suggestion


Sadly raising the age limit wouldn't do any good, there are some older teens that should not be behind the wheel of a car, yet again there are some 16 yr olds that are very mature and responsible.