In the Driver’s Seat

In the Driver’s Seat

by Jessica Wood

With teenage driving becoming more and more of a controversial topic, many states have recommended implementing more strict licensure requirements and increasing the drivers age limit. I believe that drivers ed is the turning point for many students, and that the lessons and techniques they learn in that class will define their driving habits for years to come. There are also numerous other ways to decrease teen accidents such as technological solutions, revised drivers ed training, and accepting the concept of personal responsibility.

My views on safer teenage driving and distracted driving have been heavily influenced by my growing up in Europe as part of a military family. In Europe, the basic concepts behind teaching a teen to drive are significantly different than those we offer in the states. First, drivers ed is not allowed to be taught in schools – it is taught by private drivers training schools and paid for by the family or student directly. Student drivers in Europe receive a student permit at 17 and must have an adult driver in the car until they are 18. Most importantly, the class and German law stresses individual responsibility. Many of these steps, if implemented in the U.S., could have a significant impact on teen driving accidents.

Another factor which must be addressed is the use of mobile phones. Texting while driving, not using hands-free technology, or using the phone for music while driving all result in a teen driver not having their eyes on the road or concentrating on their driving. Just as technology plays a primary role in causing distracted driving accidents, it must also assist in solving the issue. The use of a “teen key” could be tied into the car’s technology system to allow hands-free connection of a telephone but disable the texting capability. It could also put a limit on the top speed of the vehicle and tie it in to new distracted driver systems that track movement of the eyes, making sure that they are on the road. The key could also put a limit on the volume of music played in the car and be used to send driving data to a parent or guardian if unsafe driving habits are recorded such as speeding or harsh breaking.

If states were able to institute changes such as those mentioned above, I believe it would reduce crashes and injuries among young drivers by instituting more intense drivers ed, training, and requiring more driving time before a license is granted. Technology must also play a roll; however, I believe that it is personal responsibility that will ultimately solve our problems.