Name: Darian Ward
From: Zachary, Louisiana
Votes: 0
Driving
is a privilege that we as teenagers take for granted. At the tender
age of sixteen, we feel that it is a rite of passage to obtain your
drivers license and begin small milestones that come with the
independence of getting behind the wheel. Everyday life such as
driving to school alone, making store or food runs for parents and
date night is so much more fun while you don’t require the drop off
and pick up method that most teenagers like myself loathe. What is
not always discussed, is the chances we take with our lives as young
drivers on the road with everyone else. Dangers lurk around every
corner from texting while driving, drunk or buzzed driving,
distracted driving and inexperienced drivers.
“Those
darn teenagers can’t put them darn phones down for a second. There
should be a law against having a phone out while driving period for
teenagers. They can barely chew gum and walk at the same time.” A
rant I had to hear from my mom. This is after she paid her truck off
and had to get another car note after being hit by a teenager texting
and driving two months later. Luckily her and my brother came out of
this accident unharmed but not everyone involved was so lucky.
Another driver involved in that accident had to be cut out of his
vehicle and left in an ambulance. Being a teen driver is one of the
most rewarding and dangerous gifts a parent can give a teen.
The
number one cause of death for teenagers is motor vehicle accidents.
According to the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles website, “Six
teens die every day from injuries suffered during motor vehicle
crashes”. When a teenager is given the privilege of driving, the
responsibility that comes with it should not be taking lightly. Below
are some interesting facts about teenage driving. First fact is
thirty three percent of deaths among thirteen to nineteen years of
age were caused due motor vehicle crashes. Second, sixteen-year old
have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age. Third, fifty
six percent of teens said they talk on the phone while driving.
Fourth, statistics show that sixteen- and seventeen-year-old driver
death rates increase with each additional passenger. Fifth only forty
four percent of teens said they would speak up if someone were
driving in a way that scared them. Next, talking on a cell phone can
double the likelihood of an accident as well as slow a young driver’s
reaction time down to that of a 70-year-old. Last, crash risk for
teens increase incrementally with each mile per hour over the speed
limit.
The
reasoning with young drivers includes the lack of maturity and
experience that just comes with time. When you are sixteen you feel
invincible and things such as car accidents, and insurance premiums
are the last thing on your mind. I am usually concerned with what I
must do that day, sports, homework, friends and family. I don’t
worry about driving to get to the places I need to go, I am usually
running behind schedule which is where multitasking behind the wheel
comes into play. Texting, eating, talking on the phone are a few
distractions that are commonplace with teenagers. It is not taken
into consideration the inexperience in making sound driving decisions
go into place with trying to ensure that we get from point A to point
B without incident.
Another
factor that is commonly forgotten in situations involving young
drivers like myself is the other people driving. You have people on
the road, and you have no idea what type of issues they may be
having. Whether it be driving impaired (under the influence of drug
and or alcohol), driving old or young, driving while sick may cause
the other driver to make careless mistakes which could impact your
life. Drunk or buzzed drivers usually are under the illusion that
they can just make it home. When in fact, an alternate method of
transportation is needed. Walking and other normal functions are
difficult when under the influence of drugs and alcohol. So, for a
second imagine trying to get behind the wheel of a car and you can
barely walk. Impaired drivers hit cars head on from commuting up one
way driving streets and commonly end up in ditches on the side of the
road. Texting while driving diverts attention from what’s in front
of you to your mobile device. Many texting accidents I have seen are
usually read end collisions and off road where the car can veer of
the road. I believe that the text or social media updates can wait.
Some cars allow you to talk and text through the car to minimize
phone related accidents.
While
in the driver’s seat it is our responsibility to drive safe to not
only protect ourselves, but to also ensure the safety of other
drivers and passengers on highways, streets, busy intersections and
interstate driving. We as drivers must make sure that we give driving
your undivided attention so that if the event comes where we need to
make a split second decision that could ultimately save my life or
the lives of other innocent people.
