Keeping the Roads Safe for Teenagers - Research Paper Example

Keeping the Roads Safe for Teenagers Driving is a wonderful experience that most teenagers look forward to. For most, it is a statement of gaining more freedom- freedom to drive one’s own car, spend more time with friends and keep parents out of sight most of the time. Some relish the thought of the day they get their license, drive their car with friends and party wherever and whenever they want to. However, on the other side of such anticipated cause for celebration lies the dread for the possibilities of car accidents that could result to injuries or even worse, death. Of course this may not be the case for all expectant teen drivers yet on general observations, it could be fairly said that the aforementioned statements apply. Children often get excited at the idea of getting a new toy and a teenager would be more excited at the prospect of getting his driver’s license and driving his new car. Both parents and child would be glad about this new phase in their life nevertheless, great consideration should be placed on the dangers adolescents face once they are on the road. Unfortunately, this aspect seem not to worry the greater percentage of parents and teenagers and this is the very reason why emphasis should be placed on the need for laws to be passed, to protect not only the teenagers but other people who might also put at risk as a result of such dangers. CQ Researcher notes that 6,000 teens die in accidents annually- that would be an average of more than 15 people in a day. During the last quarter of 2004, seventeen youths died in crashes in the Washington, D.C. area wherein some were said to have drunk and drove, some committed fatal rookie mistakes while the others were passengers who went along for the ride. It is observed that 6.4% of the nation’s total driving population is 15-20 year-old drivers and that 14% of all fatal car crashes for ten years from the mid-1990s involved this age range. This statistics shows that among the small number of teenage drivers, is a high percentage of those who get involved in fatal crashes. In 2003, nearly 7,900 teen drivers were involved in fatal accidents in the United States and nearly 50 percent of them died. On the same year, 308,000 teen drivers were injured in fatal crashes, 6,000 teens died in automobile accidents where 3,657 of them were young drivers. Moreover, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says motor vehicle crashes account for about 40 percent of adolescent fatalities. Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on the other hand says that in 2002, the motor vehicle death rate for teens, both drivers and passengers, between ages fifteen and nineteen was 27.6 percent deaths per 100,000 population while 17.8 percent accounted for drivers aged 25-34 and 15.8 percent for ages 35-44 (CQ Researcher). These rates are mind-blowing as they show the high risk in teenage drivers. The issue is not something to be taken lightly rather demands attention and immediate action. One of the proposals that make a lot of sense in response to the problem presented above is the Graduated Driver Licensing or GDL. This was first introduced in New Zealand which some states already adopted. The effects on New Zealand statistics on teen driver accidents showed positive feedbacks that many have eyed it to be a solution to the growing problem in American teen drivers. Similar results have been seen in those who implemented the law. For instance, Ohio reported fatal crashes involving 16 and 17 year-old drivers dropped by an astounding 70 percent (CQ Researcher). The result is because of the restrictions set by GDL. It encourages the idea that 15 year-olds can drive only if they are enrolled in a driver education and accompanied by a certified instructor or student teacher (Sandbutle). Enrolling in a driver education is helpful however, it has been noted that sometimes the schools only give basic skills that make them able to drive but not knowledgeable enough so as to know how to act in real life circumstances they face on the road. In response to such accusation though, certified driving instructor Syed Ahmad of Alexandria, Va. Says, “When accidents happen, they always blame the driver’s ed classes. But the fact is, if your intention is to go out and party when you get your license, you’re not going to make it” (CQ Researcher). Indeed this is not as easy as it seems but is rather complicated and involves a lot of considerations. Therefore, to limit the problems regarding this proposition, there should be a set of national standard imposed on driving education that has to be strictly followed otherwise any driving school not adhering to the standard, will lose its license to operate. Included in the standard should be the lessons needed to be tackled, drills and simulations and an intense discussion about the rules and regulations of driving. The Driver Education Community laid out a vision for enhanced programs in the country and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is promoting their implementation. The vision incorporates the creation and wide distribution of national guidelines. Among the guidelines are: program administration, education and training content, including the amount of time spent in classes and behind the wheel; testing; instructor qualifications; parental involvement; and coordination with graduated driver licensing (Mohn). This is believed to be an intelligent plan and should be embraced as a solution for the current problems on teenage driving. On the part of the teenage driver, it is agreeable that they have to take driving lessons before they are allowed to drive. When the driver reaches 15 years and 9 months, s/he could get an instructional permit that allows driving only when accompanied and supervised by someone at least 21 years old who held a driver’s license for three years or more. Sixteen year-olds are eligible for provisional license once classroom driver education and 6-hours training are completed. The license provides some restrictions to the owner such as driving between midnight and 6 o’clock in the morning under close supervision. Offenses are punishable by the suspension of license for six months and second offenses for one year or until the driver turns 18. Under this program, drivers under 21 years old are subject to a zero tolerance for blood alcohol content while driving. On the other hand, provisional license holders without offenses for a year can apply for full driving privileges (Sandbutle). It is like a reward for those who comply with the requirements and show responsibility. On the other hand, there have been problems encountered related to this. Some have sidestepped GDL restrictions such the age limit to receive a learner’s permit, requirements for hours practicing behind the wheel, and passenger and night-driving limitations. Anne McCartt, Senior Vice President for research at the IIHS says that the education programs that allow teens to bypass graduated driver licensing restrictions that have been proven to be effective may be more harmful than good. It’s counterproductive. Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, the national standard will cater the solution to such a problem or concern. The program fairly covers most of the concerns of both law-givers and the people affected in this situation. The scope is wide but looks well-researched, considering all the pros and cons and rebuttals to possible oppositions. For instance, parents and teenagers naturally have the tendency of opposing the GDL because it largely affects the parent’s convenience and the teenagers’ freedom. In answer to this, Maryland State Del. Adrienne A. Mandel says that parents and children are just talking about their convenience while she is talking about saving lives (CQ Researcher). Indeed, it cannot be denied that oppositions are more of a defense to personal interests than logical and sensible arguments. Adolescents have to accept the fact that there are a lot of aspects that need to be considered in the issue and parents as well should learn to accept the fact that their teenager child could be at risk if their driving is not strictly supervised. It is not a question of controlling teenagers or not trusting their abilities, capabilities, skills and decision-making. There are more to the issue than such trivial arguments. Certain driver characteristics are prevalent among teenagers. For instance, this group exhibit risky behaviors such as speeding, following too closely and dangerous passing (Sandbutle). This is the reason why GDL restricts provisional license holders to limit teenage passengers. The presence of other teenagers increase the risk of danger because the conversations or other activities of teenagers present in the car takes the attention of the teenage driver. Moreover, a group of risk-takers who seek adventure can influence the driver and take his concentration away from the road. This danger could be coupled by an inexperienced driver as is usually observed among teenage drivers or one who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is known that adolescents have the tendency to take risks and being with fellow adolescents underlines the danger a teenage driver faces because they may not avoid driving while they are drunk or under the influence of drugs. Another practice commonly observed among children is texting while driving. studies show that 76 percent of teens aged 14-17 agree that “if you regularly text and drive, someday, you will be killed while driving”, 93 percent believe that “if you regularly text and drive, someday, you will get into an accident”. However, despite this belief, only 43 percent claim to have never texted while driving. This shows that texting while driving is dangerous is a fact that is being ignored or taken lightly. The excitement of getting in touch with friends and family seems to be more real to most teenage drivers than the danger that they put themselves into with such an attitude. In this regard, other factors need to be considered like modeling. It is also undeniable that not only teenagers text while driving. As they see adults doing so and still escape the dangers on the road, teenagers are somehow convinced that they are not in any danger when they contact their friends through their phone while driving. In addition to such immaturity prevalent among adolescents, the biological make-up of their brains should also be taken into consideration. Susan Scharoun, chairman of the psychology department at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New york claims that “recent studies show that hormonal activity and incomplete development of the frontal lobe of the brain, which controls reasoning and memory affect teen risk-taking behavior. This biological design should be seriously considered as a factor affecting emotional and psychological reactions which consequently affect a teenager’s ability to drive safely at all times. There are simply so many activities in an adolescent’s mind and body that giving full responsibility to his driving would just increase risks to accidents. The biological design of the human body does not define adolescents nor give a statement of prejudice towards them rather, it is a wake up call for parents and teenagers to know and understand this as something that all people have to go through. Of course there are adolescents who are able to show that they can be responsible. This writer strongly believes that such has been clearly thought about that is why there are considerations such as full driving privileges given to non-offenders. Instead of opposing, parents should listen and consider the benefits of propositions made by experts. In fact, if they just be open-minded and be honest with themselves, they will find out that GDL makes a lot of sense and may save their very child’s life. Parents should not wait for the time when they experience a lose in the family due to teenage driving problems before they come to realize how serious the problem really is. Rather, they should be the very first ones to support the program as a manner of protecting their own families. Parents are seen to play a very important role in this issue because they greatly influence their children being their regular companions. Several studies show that greater parent involvement is associated with less teen risky driving behavior. Moreover, Hartos et al. noted from three hundred adolescents licensed two years or less that low parental monitoring and control were related to risky driving behaviors, traffic violations and motor vehicle crashes among the teens. In relation to this, a program that aims to motivate parents to strictly manage their teens’ early driving and relax such restrictions over time is initiated in support to the GDL. This is called the Checkpoints Program which is based on the concept of authoritative parenting which posits that to be effective, parenting should be both demanding and responsive. Parents should demand their teenagers to obey rules and regulations and reward them by loosening those restrictions as they gain experience and show responsibility. The program includes a Checkpoint parent-teen driving agreement that is designed to facilitate parent’s ability to establish limits on high-risk driving conditions at the time of teen licensing (Simons-Morton & Hartos). A study was done to test the effectiveness of the program. Participants were divided into two wherein one group received the Checkpoint Program materials while the other group received the regular information materials. In the former, both parents and teenage drivers were given regular mails, videos, newsletters and other materials that correspond to the teen’s driving experience and the focus on a single tool to organize parental management on teen driving. The results showed positive reactions with parents and teenagers who completed the program complementing it and saying that they would recommend it to others. One of the aspects seen in this study is the possibility that parents’ involvement in their children’s driving lesson can be encouraged through such a program. With the positive results, it is shown that parents find the information and urging helpful. Those who were not able to continue with the test shows how much there is to be done to improve the program, to encourage parents more so that they will get actively involved in the learning experience of their children with regards driving. Another study that has been tested to be effective is installing a monitoring and feedback device in a teenager’s car. Participants were newly licensed teenagers whose families were paid for their participation. The vehicles of participants were through a monitoring device consisting of a shoebox-size black box installed in the vehicle's cargo area, global positioning system (GPS), satellite modem, and small speaker box installed beneath the front dashboard. The device detected all instances of sudden braking/acceleration (longitudinal deceleration/acceleration of more than 0.5 g) and nonuse of seat belts, transmitting a record of these events via satellite to a central computer (Farmer). Because of the monitoring system, the mistakes of teenage drivers were easily detected and corrected. However, there are more complicated behavior problems that have not been resolved and for this, the researchers believe that parental involvement is the key to modifying such attitudes. Saudi Arabia faces the same problems about teenage drivers. In fact, the statistics are even worse so that it is known to be the world’s second most dangerous territory for road fatalities after Africa. Almost seven out of ten accidents on the region’s roads involve teenagers and the reasons for such high risks are similar to those mentioned earlier with the exception of driving while under the influence of alcohol (Seymour). With a high risk factor omitted by the strict alcohol laws in the country, roads should be safer in Saudi. However, as studies show, this is not true. Seymour points to teenage drivers as the very reason for the situation saying “teenage drivers will not be better drivers until they grow up.” Al-saleh and Bendak back this up by enumerating the bad behaviors of younger drivers compared to older drivers in the roundabouts. Roundabouts are designed to make intersections safer and more efficient for drivers however the objective is often ignored by teenage drivers and is actually often used to satisfy the risk-taking behaviors of adolescents. Adults, compared to teenage drivers are more likely to yield in runabouts. For the teens, changing lanes would increase the thrill of their driving that they often ignore rules and regulations. Sometimes, when they have friends who are driving along with them, they take the risk of racing on runabouts that the incidents of accidents are increased. This then summarizes the necessity of really acting and putting limitations on teenage drivers. For every, family, society or country, keeping people safe is a necessity however, this is not always easy. As shown in the explanations above, general security should be considered but personal interests are also the concern of most oppositions. Probably, perceptions should be widened, people should be more open-minded and a general tolerance should be encouraged for all to make a peaceful and secure environment. Working together is a necessity that should happen first, in the family and the bigger unit of society will follow. Discipline is also needed among teenagers for them to show that they can be confidently be trusted by the people around them not only for their safety but also for the safety of other people. Read More