Name: Connor Downs
From: Richmond Hill, Georgia
Votes: 0
Teen Driving Issue
3
Connor Downs
30 July 2020
Over the last decade, teenage driving has become a severe issue. In the state of Pennsylvania alone, 17,321 teens were involved in crashes. Most of the other states throughout the country follow this trend. I would know I have had my car totaled due to the incompetence of other people on the road. By examining the issues of texting and driving, underage drinking, and distracting vehicles, we will be able to see the prevention methods needed to bring these numbers down and hopefully create a safer driving environment.
Using a cell phone while driving can double the likelihood of an accident. Over 50% of teen drivers have admitted to using a phone while on the road. These numbers are insane, and states can curb that. One of the main things they can do is ban the use of handheld devices in all drivers. Sixteen states do this currently, which isn’t good enough. If everyone isn’t allowed to do it, they are more likely to follow the rules. If they were to disobey, what states should do is increase the penalty for violation. For example, Arkansas increased the fine to $250 for the first violation and $500 for anything after. This increase has reduced accidents. If states implemented this, accidents would be less frequent.
Around 1/4th of teen accidents involve underage drinking in some capacity. The main thing that states can do is educate young people on the effects and dangers of it. States should put into effect that all schools need to discuss this issue. For example, dedicate a unit to this in classes like health/PE. The schools should review the adverse effects and consequences of it. Have the schools bring in police officers, health officials, a previous violator, or a victim of drunk driving. That way, the issue becomes tangible. This program would have profound effects across the country.
Newer cars have screens that create distractions for young drivers that could take their attention away from the road for up to a minute. Something states could do is turn younger drivers’ attention to a beater car, something reliable, safe, and too old to be filled with distractions. Something else states could do is give student discounts to older cars or breaks in insurance so parents will be more inclined to get their child an older car. Over time this could skew the types of cars teens would be driving in their formative years.
These are just a few possibilities to make the roads safer for everyone. Over the last decade, accidents with teen drivers have become a severe issue—the main culprits of this being texting and driving, underage drinking, and technology within newer cars. The solutions provide possible ways to attempt to solve this growing issue. If nothing changes to stop this now, innocent lives will die due to the inaction of the federal and state governments. Change is on the horizon, and we need to make sure the next generation isn’t lost before the next sunrise.
