Moving Violations:
Teen Drivers: Overwhelmingly Underprepared
As new drivers become licensed, we’re arming them with
lots of responsibility and very little knowledge
Jonathan Swigart - AutomotiveForums.com
Sept. 21, 2011
For many young drivers, the day you earn your license is like the day you earn your freedom to explore the world in its entirety; you've been broken away from the chains of having your parents take you from one place to the other, you can visit your friends on a moment's notice and you can even drive yourself to work and back.
However, something I've noticed as I've gotten older (and since the day I received
my license) is how often I see these new drivers – most of them 16 years old in the United States – driving like they're being chased.
I'm sure you've seen them, too. All of them young drivers, leaning towards the steering wheel like they can't see over it, weaving in and out of already-fast traffic and tailgating the people who don't move fast enough. They're hard to miss if you're any kind of driver short of “blind.”
Each and every time I see this kind of behavior, I can't help but think “unprepared.” Unprepared to handle the responsibility of controlling an automobile. Unprepared to be on the road with other drivers safely. And unprepared to deal with the consequences of their actions, should they lead to disaster.
Statistically speaking, teen drivers are the worst on the road.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2009, eight teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries. Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash.”
So what does this mean? It means a few things. First, it means we should re-evaluate the age at which we allow young people to get a driver's license (at least in the United States – many other countries have graduated licensing systems) as it is clear that many teenage drivers have no idea what they are doing. Maybe that means a system similar to the aforementioned graduation-based. My state in particular
has a graduated system of sorts, setting specific sanctions based on the age of the driver.
Next, it means we as adults need to provide better examples to our children of how to act behind the wheel. While not all behavior portrayed behind the wheel is learned, much of it can be. That means watching how you drive and considering what your child might be retaining from your actions.
I honestly don’t believe parents take enough interest in their children when they are learning to drive – and I think they should. All it takes is a little extra time here and there to go out and drive with your son or daughter and be a coach; look out for the things they are doing right and affirm them and comment on the things that need to be improved. My parents did this with me and I think it resonated more when I got my license than my behind-the-wheel instructor or my driver’s education class ever could.
Finally, new drivers need to learn to respect their automobiles and to have respect for other motorists while on the road. They need to understand that they aren’t just in control of a car, they’re in control of something that can be dangerous to themselves and others of handled improperly. And most importantly, they need to understand there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the driving experience, but that they need to do so safely.
Nothing irritates me more than driving through town and having some snot-nosed teenager driving like a tool riding my bumper and then flying around me like he’s on a drag-strip. But what’s more irritating is when these actions result in the deaths of said drivers and others around them because of their recklessness and – largely – their immaturity.
Fortunately, we have the ability to make the necessary changes that can prevent these things from being a problem and it starts at the most basic level: Parents being good parents and teaching their children good driving habits.
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Jonathan Swigart is an award-winning journalist and has been around the automotive world his entire life. "Moving Violations" will explore some of the basic aspects of driving that drivers often overlook, among other topics related to driving and the auto industry. He lives in Champaign, Illinois
with his wife and son and works at the University of Illinois.
You can reach Jonathan by emailing [email protected]