Teenagers and Cars: A Deadly Combination

Since teenage drivers are often discriminated against for their driving skills, improvements are being looked into. A survey on news stands today shows, “61 percent of teens admit to risky driving habits” (“Teens Risky Driving” 1). Most teens view their driving as safe; however, a large proportion of teens are dangerous to others on the road. While the rates of dangerous teenage drivers are a high hazard, consequences are in store. Because of dangerous habits teenagers pursue on the road, reckless teenage driving has become a number one killer. Even though teenage drivers complete a driver education program in order to obtain a permit before a full license, teenagers need improvement on being aware of their actions and others while traveling on the road.

While driving with parents, teens continue to make bad decisions. Generally, teens learn to drive by observing habits of their parents; therefore, teens are more likely to make hasty decisions behind the wheel according to their driving experiences with parents. A study conducted by Paul Condrin shows that ‘“And through this study, the type of parent involvement that works is clear - parents need to know the laws and teen-driving rules of their state, set clear expectations with their teens about what safe driving is, and establish and enforce consequences should those laws be broken or expectations not be met”’ (quoted in “Detering Dangerous Driving" 1). This means if parents enforce consequences for bad driving habits, teens will be more aware of their actions. Consequently, a chain reaction of events occurs. When teens drive safer the amount of car crashes decrease, meaning fewer teens would be killed. In other words, when parents set consequence...

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...Generally speaking, teenagers drive over the legal speed limit. As a result, a crash occurs. Sadly enough, passengers and friends are often the leading cause for distractions while driving.

Even though teenagers often make dangerous decisions behind the wheel, most drive without adult supervision when they first obtain their license. With the immaturity of teens combined with the lack of driving skills, disasters are still occurring. Although most teens believe their driving is becoming safer, it is a lie. States are taking charge by giving out driving curfews to teens; fourteen states have set limits as to how many passengers may be allowed in the vehicle with young drivers. Although teenagers go through tests and programs before obtaining a full license, teens are not fully prepared; therefore, teens are causing dangerous events to take place.