Name: Sean Parrott
From: Victorville, California
Votes: 0
Teenage
drivers need to learn that driving is a privilege that requires focus
and can be demanding. Being a safe driver is something that should be
focused on in the driver training of all teenage drivers. Reflecting
on the process that is required for a teenager to obtain a
provisional drivers license, becoming a safe driver is not a focus
of the program.
The
first step is for a fifteen and a half year old to apply for a
provisional permit. Teens must
pass the traffic law, road-sign and vision tests to receive a
provisional permit. Teens must also provide proof they have completed
drivers ed or are enrolled in an integrated drivers ed
program. The program to obtain this permit is generally focused on
the laws associated with driving. When I took the course, a lot
of what I had to learn were the rules associated with driving. The
course did not go into detail about the consequences of not following
the laws and how they will impact not only your life, but other
people as well.
After
obtaining a provisional permit, a teen driver may practice with a
parent, guardian, spouse, driving instructor or an adult 25 years or
older, who has a valid California drivers license. Teens are
required to practice driving for at least 50 hours, including 10
hours at night, with an adult 25 years or older, who has a valid
California drivers license before theyre allowed a provisional
license. The focus on this part of the process, is learning on
the job, so to speak. It is all about practicing driving behind the
wheel. There is little to no focus on the actual dangers associated
with driving, speeding, or simply just not paying attention.
To
obtain a provisional license, the teens must complete the hours
mentioned above, along with paying for behind the wheel training for
six hours and pass the behind the wheel test at the DMV. I
recently completed all of the above processes. There was a lot of
behind the wheel training, which of course is necessary. But, the
focus was not how to be a safe driver and the consequences related
to making poor choices while driving.
The
drivers ed programs must be more comprehensive and strengthened
in order to make sure that students learn safer driving habits. To
help teens understand how to be safe drivers, I think that a couple
of areas of focus are necessary. One area is teen drinking and
driving. California
Vehicle Code 23140 makes it unlawful for any juvenile under 21 to
drive with a BAC of .05% or higher.
According
to the chart above, The
HBD crash rate for 16-year-old drivers is 1.8 times higher than
drivers of all ages. The HBD crash rate for 16 to 19-year-old
drivers is 1.9 times higher than drivers of all ages (California
Department of Motor Vehicles
-https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/teenweb/more_btn6/traffic/traffic#drinking_10k).
To become a safer driver, teens need to be educated on the
ramifications of drinking and driving. This should involve
education on insurance, injuries, and even death. I do not recall
any detailed information about this during any part of my driving
education.
Another
topic that is not really taught is the need for safe driving and not
speeding. The law of speeding is taught, but not the
devastating effects it can have on ones choice to be reckless.
.
According
to the chart above, driving at an unsafe speed is the number one
cause of crashes for teenagers (California Department of Motor
Vehicles
-https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/teenweb/more_btn6/traffic/traffic#drinking_10k).
Teen drivers ed teaches the law for speed limit, but not how
they can completely change their own life as well as others if they
cause a crash by speeding.
Giving
teen drivers a complete understanding of the driving laws and the
residual effects of making poor choices can help teens become safer
drivers. I recall my parents talking about watching videos in
their drivers ed courses that detailed the seriousness and
ramifications of speeding and drunk driving. Sometimes, people
do not understand until they see things through another persons
experiences. As part of my driver training, my parents made me watch
videos online about peoples experience with drunk driving and
speeding. It helped me focus when I was driving to slow down
because I did not want to hurt myself and anyone else. Being a safe
driver is extremely important. The behind the wheel training is
extensive and comprehensive for teenage drivers. The focus now
needs to be on how to make them safe drivers and understanding the
full ramifications for their actions.
