Teenagers and Car Accidents

Empirical data establishes that teenagers are at a bigger risk of being involved in car accidents than any other age group. In fact, the number of accidents grows because of the adults. The rising number of accidents has been attributed to alcohol abuse, overspeed, ignorance of traffic rules and irresponsible behavior such as negligence of seatbelt. The number of deaths from careless teenage driving heightens everyday with current statistics indicating that at least six thousand teens die every year in automobile accidents. Youth below twenty are also the most vulnerable group in drinking and driving.

It has been widely suggested that the driving age in the United States should be raised to the age of 18 or even 21. Statistics indicate that individuals who get driving licence at age of 21 are less involved in fatal car accidents (NSC, 270). With the rise of the number of cases involving teenage boys, it was proper that the driving age was also raised, because elder people are more responsible. The increase of the age limit to eighteen and above however poses the challenge of dependence on the adults who are faced with many responsibilities from day-to-day. The solution of increasing the age limit for legal driving has been under a sharp criticism and has also been termed as unworkable in the contemporary American society.

To counter the menace associated with teenage automobile deaths, it is advisable that the process of obtaining a driver’s license was improved and made more comprehensive. This way, the teens will be subjected to conditions and processes that adequately prepare them for responsible driving. The introduction of graduated driver licensing programs is among the successful efforts to curb the cases of teenage accidents. Although the programs have significantly impacted on the reduction of cases, other schools of thought have rooted for the application of more strict rules. Furthermore, all parents and guardians have to be active participants in their children’s responsible behavior (Jost, 950). Also parents are encouraged to train their teenagers on responsibility especially when they are behind the wheel which is potentially fatal for them. It is also the duty of all parents to monitor the teens, when they get the car to check with whom and where they are going. This way, all the negative factors and unnecessary escapades that are springboards to fatal accidents are avoided.

Peer pressure has also been linked to careless road behavior and subsequent fatal accidents among teenagers. Arguably, more accidents occur when teens are driving with their friends rather than individually. With their peers, teens experience compulsive urges to impress the others regardless of the risks involved. Teenage behavior especially in groups is distractive, leading to loss of focus and attention on the roads. It is therefore important that teens are advised to avoid drinking in order to prevent any potential car crashes (NSC, 289).

Driver education classes have been advocated for in a bid to solve the fatalities that result from teen automobile accidents. According to the U.S. News Online, the impact of providing driving lessons for teenagers is not felt. This is because accidents were on the same frequency among teens who attended driving lessons and those who did not. Caution is regarded as the most effective solution to the cases of fatal car crashes involving teenage boys. One yhe contrary to the education that involves the use of books, teens should regard driving as a skill that is sharpened through the wisdom, responsible behavior and experience.