How can Teenagers be Convinced to Drive More Safely?
Turning sixteen years in the lives of teenagers is an exciting moment. At this age, they are able to acquire a driver’s license, and it is a milestone towards adulthood (Moreno 592). At this juncture, they have the control as well as the freedom they never experienced before. The higher freedom could, however, be a recipe for more evil than could if not well utilized. For instance, on several occasions, people have blamed teenage deaths to drugs, violence and gangs among other deviant behavior. Reckless driving and a consequent high number of road accidents is, especially one major issue affecting teenagers that I feel is not getting enough attention. With these accidents, the number of untimely …show more content…
Research shows that teens aged between 16 and 19 are involved in car accidents four times more as compared to the rate of adult drivers between 25 and 69 years (Shinar 219). The research findings suggest that teen drivers make several critical errors on the road, including inexperience, lack of scanning in detecting as well as responding to hazards, overspeeding where there are speed limits, being distracted by gadgets like cellphones among others (Heath 6). In reality, it is arguable that there are no such thing like car accidents, they are actually preventable accidents. Willim, in a study of factors that predisposes teenagers to careless driving, argues that parents-involvement in advising teens about driving will reduce teen car accidents by almost half (6). In most countries in Europe, teenagers are not able to acquire a driver’s license before they are eighteen. In these countries, there have been less fatal road accidents reported due to their age factor where teenagers drive at an earlier age. It is even more worrying that some states allow teens at an early age of fourteen to drive (Berardelli, …show more content…
The fatality rates are found to decrease once teenage drivers attain the age of eighteen. This is because, at this age, judgment and maturity are part of their responsibility. Even though this may be seen to be just a two-year-old difference, its impact is much significant, especially when the teen has to make a rushed decision while driving (Heath 5). Research shows that sixteen-year-old teenage drivers have the highest fatality compared to other age groups. They make more silly mistakes that result in grisly accidents causing more deaths through reckless driving. It is no wonder that there are so many accidents happening currently. According to research, almost two-thirds of teen passenger deaths are in vehicles driven by their peer teens (Shinar, 220).
Teenagers look forward towards their peers and friends for advice, rather than from their parents and teachers. Rarely, these teenagers take the advice of their elders, thus making it almost impossible to convince them to drive more safely. According to Simons-Morton, teenage is a stage where a good number of individuals would not want to listen to their parents or guardians and their only worry is to “fitting in” with their peers (195). It is painful for parents to think that their child may never come back home again due to careless driving in the company of other
Turning sixteen years in the lives of teenagers is an exciting moment. At this age, they are able to acquire a driver’s license, and it is a milestone towards adulthood (Moreno 592). At this juncture, they have the control as well as the freedom they never experienced before. The higher freedom could, however, be a recipe for more evil than could if not well utilized. For instance, on several occasions, people have blamed teenage deaths to drugs, violence and gangs among other deviant behavior. Reckless driving and a consequent high number of road accidents is, especially one major issue affecting teenagers that I feel is not getting enough attention. With these accidents, the number of untimely …show more content…
Research shows that teens aged between 16 and 19 are involved in car accidents four times more as compared to the rate of adult drivers between 25 and 69 years (Shinar 219). The research findings suggest that teen drivers make several critical errors on the road, including inexperience, lack of scanning in detecting as well as responding to hazards, overspeeding where there are speed limits, being distracted by gadgets like cellphones among others (Heath 6). In reality, it is arguable that there are no such thing like car accidents, they are actually preventable accidents. Willim, in a study of factors that predisposes teenagers to careless driving, argues that parents-involvement in advising teens about driving will reduce teen car accidents by almost half (6). In most countries in Europe, teenagers are not able to acquire a driver’s license before they are eighteen. In these countries, there have been less fatal road accidents reported due to their age factor where teenagers drive at an earlier age. It is even more worrying that some states allow teens at an early age of fourteen to drive (Berardelli, …show more content…
The fatality rates are found to decrease once teenage drivers attain the age of eighteen. This is because, at this age, judgment and maturity are part of their responsibility. Even though this may be seen to be just a two-year-old difference, its impact is much significant, especially when the teen has to make a rushed decision while driving (Heath 5). Research shows that sixteen-year-old teenage drivers have the highest fatality compared to other age groups. They make more silly mistakes that result in grisly accidents causing more deaths through reckless driving. It is no wonder that there are so many accidents happening currently. According to research, almost two-thirds of teen passenger deaths are in vehicles driven by their peer teens (Shinar, 220).
Teenagers look forward towards their peers and friends for advice, rather than from their parents and teachers. Rarely, these teenagers take the advice of their elders, thus making it almost impossible to convince them to drive more safely. According to Simons-Morton, teenage is a stage where a good number of individuals would not want to listen to their parents or guardians and their only worry is to “fitting in” with their peers (195). It is painful for parents to think that their child may never come back home again due to careless driving in the company of other