Name: Kira Poliviou
From: Bellmore, NY
Votes: 0
Teenage
driving deaths is a serious problem in today’s world. This problem
is increasing day by day. There are many causes for these deaths such
as technology use when driving, underage drinking, not wearing a
seatbelt, and driver inexperience. There are ways to prevent this
issue such as limiting the amount of passengers in the car and having
a good positive attitude about driving.
There
are many things that cause teenage driving deaths. One example is
technology use in the car. For example, 32.8% of high school students
nationwide have emailed or texted while driving in the car. As
technology is used more, more accidents are prone to happen. Many
teens take their eyes off the road to check their phone, text, or
email someone and this is what causes the accidents. Teens today have
a cell phone addiction and they cant get away from their phones even
while driving and it’s a huge problem. Another cause leading to
teenage driving deaths is underage drinking. For example, about
¼ of teen car accidents involve underage drinking while driving.
When a drunk driver is on the road, alcohol changes his/her
perception and mindset. With your driving abilities impaired you are
becoming a hazard not just to yourself but to every other driver on
the road around you. Depth and distance are two factors which are the
most affected. Additionally, around 8.2% of high school students have
reported driving a vehicle at least once right after drinking
alcohol. Finally, another cause leading to teenage driving deaths is
the use of drugs. For example, ½ of teen driver deaths involve the
use of pot or other factors. Marijuana, also known as pot, is a
mind-altering substance. This drug is usually found in the blood of
teen drivers killed in a fatal crash. In addition, 14% of drivers who
die are under the illegal drug marijuana as well as possibly other
drugs combined as well. Pot creates a sense of relaxation, not safe
to experience while operating any vehicle, especially as a teen. As
presented, there
are many causes associated with teenage driving deaths.
There
are many other reasons associated with teenage driving deaths. One
reason is not wearing a seatbelt. For example, in a survey, only
slightly more than ½ of high school students said that they always
wear a seat belt. Seat belts have been proven effective and saw to
reduce the risk of a fatal accident. When wearing a seat belt, you
will less likely be removed from the vehicle when in a crash. A seat
belt could be the difference between you being dead or alive after
the accident you get in. Another reason associated with teenage
driving deaths is driver inexperience. For example, teens
with less than two years of driving experience are
still not equipped to recognize and react to dangerous situations. A
teen needs time to be able to experience driving on different
terrains with a variety of different conditions. This will then help
the driver feel more comfortable on the road and with their own
driving.
There
are many ways to prevent teenage driving deaths. One way is limiting
the amount of passengers in the car. For example, your risk of a
fatal crash occurring increases with every additional passenger added
in the car. With less passengers, It is safer for the driver and it
is safer for everyone else on the road because having many friends or
other people in the car can be what causes an accident. With
passengers, it is proven to distract drivers, leading to deaths.
Another way to prevent teenage driving deaths is developing the right
mindset about driving. For example, many teen auto accidents are a
result of attitude and maturity. When the teen can commit to a
responsible attitude it will prevent accidents and ultimately death.
Teens have been known to get into more fatal accidents, so once they
develop to become more mature they can be a safer driver. When acting
right, teens will be able to have control and prevent death. Lastly,
another way to prevent teenage driving deaths is learning slower and
then gradually moving to other areas later when first starting to
drive. For example, when teens experience different areas too early,
teens are more likely than older drivers to speed when driving and to
be more dangerous. As drivers speed, this causes a greater danger
while driving, especially unsafe for young, new drivers. Driving
slower and in easier areas helps the driver get more confident on the
road, leading greatly to less fatalities. Additionally, supervised
driving experience is best before getting used to driving. With
someone there to help, teens will eventually feel a sense of
confidence and readiness while driving.
Overall,
teenage driving deaths are a serious topic in today’s world. As
more teens take on driving, the right precautions are not being
taken. Ultimately, there are many causes for these deaths such as
technology use when driving, underage drinking ,not wearing a
seatbelt and, driver inexperience. Therefore, with time and patience
there are ways to prevent these issues such as limiting the amount of
passengers in the car and developing the right mindset about driving.
Name:
Kira Poliviou
School:
John F. Kennedy High School
Date:
May 30, 2019
Sources:
https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/who-was-injured/teen/teen-driving-statistics.html
https://www.livescience.com/49428-car-crash-deaths-pot-alcohol.html
https://www.verywellmind.com/marijuana-use-by-teens-statistics-2610207
https://www.chicagolawyer.com/7-reasons-for-teen-car-accidents/
http://www.mva.maryland.gov/_resources/docs/TopTenTips.pdf
https://www.teendriversource.org/teen-crash-risks-prevention/distracted-driving/peer-passengers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352646716300035
