Teen Driving

Some parents and even more teens think that teens in general are just entitled to get their license when they turn 16. More and more teens are also expecting to be given a car to drive. There is a sense of entitlement here instead of realizing that really for all of us, the ability and right to drive a car is a privilege and not one to be taken lightly. Driving comes with huge responsibility and should be handled with a lot of maturity.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) has stated that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in teens. These motor vehicle accidents count for more than one third of teen deaths in the United States. In 2007 more than 4,200 teens were killed in vehicle accidents and more than 400,000 were injured. Teens ages 16-19 are four times more likely than older drivers to get in a motor vehicle accident.

The three most at risk groups for motor vehicle accidents in teens are:

1. Male drivers and passengers ages 16-19.
2. Those driving with passengers. The more passengers, the higher the risk.
3. Newly licensed teens are more likely to crash in their first year of having their license.

What issues are behind the high risk:

• Teens do not always judge the situation and see the danger.
• Teens speed more and follow closer behind other vehicles.
• Teens with teen boy passengers are more likely to have accidents.
• Teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.
• In 2005, 23% of drivers between 15 and 20 that died in vehicle accidents had alcohol in their blood.

What can be done to lower the risks?

• The CDC states that those teen drivers that took graduated drivers licensing courses were 38% less likely to get in accidents. These GDL classes allow teens to get more driving experience than usual and it is in a lower risk setting. This happens before licensing.

Knowing your state laws regarding the graduated drivers licensing is a first step to take in keeping your teen safe. Another thing to do is to let them know that driving comes with maturity and trust. It is a privilege and can be taken away at any time as a consequence. If you sit down with your teen and go over a parent contract you can explain to the teen what types of behavior will be linked to having their privilege to drive taken away.