Give Teens a Lesson on the Dangers of Driving
By C. Ron Allen
While riding along Gateway Boulevard Sunday evening, I saw a small car ahead of me with bodies and hands sticking out from three windows.
As I got closer, I realized it was a carload of teens joy riding.
They were enjoying the rewards of summer – spending time with friends and waving to other motorists as they traveled west along the busy street. They had no idea of how dangerous their actions were.
My first thought: schools are out and these teens, with no parental supervision, have nothing but more free time on their hands. My mind quickly snapped back to my days as a reporter when I would religiously write about roadside carnage involving teens every summer. It was those experiences that led me to form the notion that teenagers are the most dangerous drivers on the road, particularly in their first year of driving. And there are statistics to support my belief as they are almost four times more likely to be involved in a car crash than older drivers.
As I drove past the car, I counted seven teens in the VW Jetta. The music was playing and they were dancing – shaking their bodies although tightly packed in the car.
While I could not see if any of the occupants was buckled in, my instincts told me that most were not, since they were hanging from the windows.
Although the car was not speeding, just the presence of teen passengers can be a deadly distraction for teen drivers. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And studies show that driver inexperience is the leading cause of crashes involving teen drivers. In fact, most crashes are not caused by teens who drive recklessly. Instead, teen drivers transporting two or more passengers are five times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
This may be because some were taking dares or showing off and some may be because they were just too embarrassed to acknowledge uncertainty in driving skills. The experts, however, say most of it is related simply to the increase in distraction provided by other friends in the car.
The problem is so bad that some states, including Illinois, have limited the number of teenagers that can be in a car with a driver under 18 to one.
Like those kids, there are hundreds of teenagers who will get behind the wheel this summer, with a carefree attitude and without even thinking twice about the dangers of driving.
In light of what I witnessed, I am appealing to those parents who handed or are considering handing over the car keys to their teenage son or daughter this summer. It’s crucial to prioritize safety and responsible driving. To assist you in reinforcing safe driving habits, consider utilizing resources like the Ontario G1 practice test, available at https://www.g1course.com/ontario-g1-practice-test/. This valuable tool can contribute to building strong foundational knowledge and skills for new drivers, ensuring a safer driving experience for everyone on the road.
I have since reached out to all the teen drivers in the KOP Mentoring Network program, in which I am a mentor, to remind them of the danger that awaits them on the roadway.
The KOP Mentoring Network also recommends parents ask their teens to sign a “parent-teen driving agreement” spelling out the responsibilities of the teen driver and the consequences for breaking the rules. It’s a good way to start a conversation with your teen about safe driving as the summer begins.
So parents, it starts with you. Educate your children about the dangers of driving, model responsible behavior and set reasonable but firm rules.
- Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@delraybeachtribune.com or 561-665-0151.
