Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Teen Driving

Good Essays
811 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Teen Driving
Teen Driving In the article, “Teen Driving,” it is stated that “A disproportionate number of teens die in motor-vehicle accidents each year, although they make up just under 7% of Americans who drive, teens account for 14% of all driving fatalities.” (pg.1). Teen driving has become a dangerous issue among adolescents and young adults in the recent years. In which, the youngest drivers are dying more frequently than ever before. Also in the article, “Teen Driving,” it is asserted by many traffic-safety advocates that “even in states with graduated licensing programs, young people are getting their licenses without proper preparation” (pg.4). In which, many states are allowing young people to take the roads too early, even way before they have received sufficient instruction and practice. As a result to this, young drivers endanger not only themselves but others as well too. It is recognized by researches that most adolescents’ driving behavior depends on who is in the car with them, the distractions they do while driving, and ignoring the dangers they expose to. In another article, “Peers Influence Risky Teen Driving,” Allen Joseph and Bradford Brown assert that “Teens, their peers, and motor vehicles can be the perfect storm for poor choices.” (pg.1). In which, studies of adolescents and driving show how crash rates and fatalities rise dramatically when teen drivers are accompanied by peer passengers. Teen drivers are placed in a position where they cannot face or look at those pressuring them. Teens drive faster and take more risks when they are with their peers. Also, drivers encounter active distraction from their own peers by engaging in conversations that heighten emotions, or by doing other things that more directly draw an adolescent’s attention away from the task of navigating the car. On the other hand, in the same article, “Peers Influence Risky Teen Driving,” Joseph P. and Bradford Brown mentioned that “peers also engage in proximal positive influences on teen drivers through modeling of positive behaviors.” (pg.4). One method of doing this is by providing a positive reinforcement, which is another form of a positive influence process. An example would be when peers make positive comments about a teen’s safe driving. Also, speaking up to protect each other is a positive influence on teen drivers. Warnings from a friend or peer about the dangers of reckless and distracted driving would influence safe driving habits to teens. In the article, “Teens and Distracted Driving,” Madden, Mary, and Amanda Lenhart conducted a survey in which teens were questioned about their distractions while driving, and researchers stated that “A significant percentage noted that they have texted or talked while driving.”(pg.1). Many adolescents now a days get distracted easily, especially when they are using their phones. Statics in the article, “Teens and Distracted Driving,” show that “fully 75% of all Americans teens ages 12-17 now own a cell phone, and 66% use their phones to send or receive text messages.” (pg.1). Distracted Driving can include all sorts of behavior behind the wheel, from eating to applying makeup to texting. While there are many distractions for d-rivers, cell phone use has been the main issue for teens while driving. Texting while driving has become the main target of police and lawmakers. For many teens, and a growing number of adults, texting is a central way of communicating; a virtual conversation that doesn’t stop in the car. To avoid distracted driving accidents, drivers should invest in new technologies, such as hands-free and Bluetooth devices. In which, these devices would allow them to keep their eyes on the road and avoid crashes. Many drivers overestimated their ability to multitask behind the wheel and put themselves and others at risk. True is that almost nobody multi processes the way they think they can. In most cases, teens ignore the dangers they put themselves into. One reason to this is because of immaturity. Most teens have reckless behaviors, such as speeding and tailgating. Teenagers drive faster and take more risks when carrying peers without acknowledging the consequences of their reckless behavior. Teens are not aware of the responsibilities and risks they expose to when they are on the road. They act without thinking things over and let their impulses take control over them. Teen Driving has developed a great risk factor among society and researchers. The reason is because of cell phone use, especially texting while driving has become a fast growing habit for many teens or young adults. The public really needs to be educated about the grave dangers of using a cell phone while driving. On the other hand, as there can be negative peer influences there can also be positive peer influences on teens. It is just the matter of how teens can take the steps to keep themselves and other drivers safe.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Parents play a big part in teens learning how to drive, parents can be a good role model to show a teen how to drive. In the article, “Distraction and Teen Crashes: Even Worse Than We Thought” produced by AAA discusses how much of a role distracted driving actually plays in teen crashes. For example it says, “AAA recommends that parents teach teens about the dangers of cell phone use and restrict passengers during the learning-to-drive process”(5). The author explains that parents need to play a definite role in teens learning to drive. By parents implementing the idea of not using cell phones while driving and not having people in the car, the teen is more likely to make a better decision when that situation happens. Another example would be, in the article, “Training --…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Have you heard about how high the rate of teen mortality has been rising over the last few decades? Indeed, it is a problematic issue that has been ignoring most of the young-drivers' parents. As Anna Quindlen expressed on her article, teen's crashes and deaths are highly common and ignored. Moreover, Quindlen's purpose is to highlight the seriousness of the teens driving issue and how states around the United States handle the issue.…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The question of p. 63 of Alexander George’s What Should I Do? “Medicine” asks, “An eleven-year old lies on the operating table, dying from an accident. He asks his doctor if he is going to die. If the doctor thinks he will, should he tell the child?”…

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Driver Ed Teen Project

    • 1228 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Today I will be discussing the topic of cell phone and driving and the effect it has on teen driving. The use of cell phones while driving has recently escalated, making it one of the most hazardous distractions for all drivers, especially teens ("Study: Teens on," 2005). Many lives are losing each and every day because people lack following safety regulation. Cell phones are one of these reasons it is a big distraction when it comes to driving.…

    • 1228 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Nearly every teenager looks forward to driving, it represents independence and freedom. While this new found freedom is great for the teenage driver, it represents fear and sleepless nights for parents. Today, not only does a parent have to worry about how their teenage son/daughter is driving but what they are doing while they are driving. In the past, the biggest fear of a parent was whether their child was…

    • 573 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A new 17 or 18-year-old driver is considered safer than a 16-year old driver (Davis). Teenagers should wait until they are older and have more experience to start driving. “ The only way to become a good driver is to get out and learn,” says O’Donnell. But in 2007, more than 4,000 teenagers died as occupants in teen- driven vehicles (Palicz). Furthermore, teens lack of experience not only costs them their lives, but the lives of others. In the end, it does not matter that teens are not getting practice with driving, but that every day another life is lost.…

    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the biggest perks of being a teenager is being able to drive. When a teenager begins to drive, they are happy and feel like they have more freedom. However, the dangers of teenage driving are higher than ever. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year-olds” (“California”). Teenage drivers create many dangerous distractions when behind the wheel of a vehicle. These distractions usually occur in three different areas: visual, cognitive, and manual.…

    • 668 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "Teen drivers ages 15 to 20 are 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, compared to adult drivers between the ages of 35 and 40" ("Teen"). About a month ago there was a teen girl driving to school, the roads were bad and she should not have taken a back road. She ended up losing control of her vehicle, causing the vehicle to roll over. If she was not wearing her seatbelt the accident could have been fatal. She is very lucky that nothing more than a totaled vehicle came from the horrific incident. There are many reasons why students should not drive to school. It is dangerous, there is a trouble with parking, and students could have illegal things in their vehicles.…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Teenagers have the highest average annual crash and traffic violation rates of any other age group. Teenagers today have become one of the most dangerous people who drive, they are even more dangerous than old people. There are many things teens do while driving that are not save and violate laws and safety procedures that keep people safe on the road.…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Teenage accident rates and mortality rates have increased dramatically over the years. Nothing that the parents do and law enforces will protect the teens all the time, especially from themselves. Teenagers do not realize the responsibility that comes with driving. They are often distracted with other things such as texting while driving. Most importantly, parents always worry about the safety of their kids on the road. Some people may say that the driving age should stay at the age of 16; however, raising the driving age to 18 will create safer and more responsible drivers. Firstly, teenagers are very careless. In addition, increasing the minimum driving age will allow teenagers more time to get comfortable with driving. Finally, the number of fatal accidents will be reduced. Therefore, the minimum driving age should be raised from 16 to 18.…

    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In a recent study, about 50% of teens have admitted they have fallen asleep while driving. This leads people to believe teens are unsafe behind the wheel. Teens are only 8% of the driving population, but they account for 20% of accidents involving cars (Collins and Cortez). Also, parents who are concerned about their child’s safety will argue and say that 3,500 teens were killed in 2008 alone, and car crashes are the number cause of teen death (Painter). They will also argue that fewer and fewer 16-17 year olds are getting their licenses, so we should just push up the age, right…

    • 512 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many challenges that teens face. They face drugs and peer pressure, but the main cause of teen death in the United States is caused by reckless driving, drunk driving, and texting while driving. They sometimes make these poor choices because they don't know their certain limits. Often times, they make these decisions and it’s too late for them to see the consequences. Teens should be aware of the consequences of breaking these rules that could impact their life or someone else's. Making teens aware can make other people feel safe when they are on the road.…

    • 550 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Since the introduction of the first cell phone in 1983, the use of mobile devices has gone viral. Even with the growing danger of distracted driving, the laws are not the same in each state for all drivers. Teaching our young adults on the dangers involving with distracted driving, will empower them and give them the insight to make better choices while driving. The University of Michigan did a study on, ‘Reducing Teen Driver Distraction: Parents Play Important Role’ show a significant relationship between parent and teen behaviors behind the wheel. Results suggest that parents play a significant role in modeling risky behavior on the road. “Children look up to their parents for being a role model of what is acceptable,” said Ray Bingham,…

    • 1861 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Statistics of Driving

    • 306 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Driving is a very dangerous and often hazardous thing to do. This is especially true for people ages fifteen to nineteen. There are so many crashes each year for teen drivers that it’s a miracle anyone makes it past twenty years old unharmed. In 2009 alone three hundred and fifty teens were treated for a car related accident.…

    • 306 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” The same goes for driving. The more you do it the better you get. Per mile driven teenage drivers aged 16-19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash due to speeding (Prevention). Teens especially 16 year olds have less experience than other drivers. Due to the lack of experience teens…

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays