Moving Violations: Teen Drivers: Overwhelmingly Underprepared

[AF News Desk]

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.

-------------------------------

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 newsdesk@automotiveforums.com

[icila]

There are both good points and inaccurate points being made here, I however cannot argue them, for my lazy self will not bother looking for a counter-action. That aside.

"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."

I am 18 years old and have been driving for almost 2 years now, in this area, "snot-nosed teenagers" do not tailgate or ride bumpers, especially in town. Nobody around here is stupid enough to tailgate in, or out of town, as well as surrounding towns. What you are saying is a generalization, if you surveyed the country, the only plces where tailgating is high from teengers are the street racing capitals. I personally do not know much about the race scene or its locations, the only things I know about street racing is the small amount I've done myself, and there are always precautions taken before, during, and after in order to keep the racers and other drivers safe on the road. I would finish this post however I have to go take a friend out of school due to illness....goodbye and thank you for your time...

[jon@af]

Originally Posted by icila

There are both good points and inaccurate points being made here, I however cannot argue them, for my lazy self will not bother looking for a counter-action. That aside.

"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."

I am 18 years old and have been driving for almost 2 years now, in this area, "snot-nosed teenagers" do not tailgate or ride bumpers, especially in town. Nobody around here is stupid enough to tailgate in, or out of town, as well as surrounding towns. What you are saying is a generalization, if you surveyed the country, the only places where tailgating is high from teenagers are the street racing capitals. I personally do not know much about the race scene or its locations, the only things I know about street racing is the small amount I've done myself, and there are always precautions taken before, during, and after in order to keep the racers and other drivers safe on the road. I would finish this post however I have to go take a friend out of school due to illness....goodbye and thank you for your time...

With all due respect to you, your word against my assertion, which is supported by the likes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), carries less weight than the perception (which is usually correct) that teen drivers are significantly more likely to engage in dangerous driving, such as tailgating, than older drivers.

Much of this is associated to overconfidence in ability and a heavy right foot.

And it's not just teen drivers by themselves that are more likely to tailgate. According to a study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, "Teenage drivers—both males and females—were more likely to tailgate and exceed the speed limit if there was a teenage male passenger in the front seat." Additionally, the study indicates "In addition, female teen drivers were slightly more likely to tailgate if there was a female teen passenger in the vehicle with them."

I really do hate pulling the age card, because I have met teenagers who are more mature than many adults I have met in my life. However, when it comes to driving, I do believe that experience typically leads to better driving habits - we learn from our mistakes and realize driver etiquette the longer we are behind the wheel. I have been driving for 10 years. While that may not seem like a lot, it's still eight years of driving experience that I have over you and 10 years I have over most new drivers.

In that time, I've driven in many different states, been in many different driving situations and seen many different things, the likes of which you may not have even experienced yourself.

That doesn't mean I am an expert by any means. But, what it does mean - at least for me - is that I'm more likely to see the behavior that plagues teen drivers than you are, primarily because you ARE the demographic and I have been in and now am "outside looking in."

You also have to understand, I'm singling out the noticeably aggressive teen drivers that are being very obvious about their lack of interest in safe driving. In general, teen drivers are dangerous on the road, for all kinds of reasons. As you said, this is a generalization - which applies to most things in life. However, despite there being extremes (good teen drivers who exemplify safe driving and teen drivers who might as well sign their names to the statistics), the MAJORITY is what is being taken into consideration. That is, the majority of teen drivers represent a significant increase in motorists who are likely to drive dangerously - tailgating included.