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“The Teenage Driver”
A Focus On Attitude And Behavior
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Key factors of the teenage driver
Inexperience
The teenage driver embarks on a journey
with little, to no experience under their belts.
The new driver does not get enough drive
time under adult supervision before he/she is set free to drive alone
under all driving conditions.
Inexperience
is a direct
factor in traffic crashes. New drivers do not have adequate skill levels
when driving in inclement weather, driving at night, or in different
traffic and road conditions. One of the solutions is a graduated driver’s
license in which new drivers gain more experience while on their own.
82%
of teenage car crashes involve driver error, a much higher rate than any
other age group, and a direct result of inexperience. Immaturity is
prevalent in all teenagers to varying degrees. Mix this with inexperience
and the problem is compounded. Immature persons are more likely to take
risks and not wear seat belts.
Peer Pressure/Thrill
Seeking/Feeling Invincible
These factors go hand in hand. Parents
often set rules and limits for their children. Many of the children
follow the rules. Now factor in the ever-popular peer pressure on a brand
new high school age driver. Peer pressure often leads the younger driver
to ignore rules they may normally follow. Three critical rules that are
often disregarded are: not wearing seat belts, speeding, or driving while
they have been drinking or taking drugs.
Thrill seeking is increased by peer
pressure. Friends egging the driver on to speed and see how fast the car
can go or to race the other car or take corners as fast as they can.
Drivers may drive wildly to impress their friends or gain acceptance with
the passengers of the vehicle. Thrill seeking takes on a whole new
meaning when alcohol or drugs are added to the equation.
Many teenagers feel they
are invincible. They believe nothing terrible or fatal can happen to
them. This feeling lends a false sense of security that leads to not
wearing
seat belts
and
increased risk taking.
They posses a much higher danger threshold than older more experienced
drivers.
Partying In Cars
Many teen drivers and
passengers drink, dance, and generally party while the vehicle is in
motion. Partying in the car leads to a moment of carelessness and lack of
attention to driving. 44% of crashes involving 16-year-old drivers are
single vehicle crashes in which the car left the road, turned over, or
struck a tree or pole, a product of carelessness and lack of attention.
The teen’s highest risk is
while partying at night
with multiple teens in the car.
This factor alone maximizes the other entire key factor we have
discussed.
Cell
Phones
Cell phones are a major
distraction to drivers and are contributed to a large percentage of car
crashes. Drivers should pull off the road when making or receiving a
calls.
INSURANCE COMPANIES REGARD
TEENAGE
DRIVING AS A SERIOUS NATIONAL PROBLEM
Automobile crashes
are the number one killer of teens.
The motor vehicle death toll for
teenagers in 2001 was 5,341 teens.
Two thirds of those killed were not buckled up. Over 337,000 other
teenagers were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
Are teens as a group the worst drivers?
Yes, accidents by
teen drivers far outweigh their
proportion of the driving population, while
these individuals represent only five
percent of all licensed drivers in
the United
States.
When driver fatality rates are calculated on the basis of estimated
annual travel, teen drivers (16 to 19 years old) have a fatality rate
that is about
four
times higher than the fatality rate among drivers 25 through 69 years
old.
Are younger teen drivers more dangerous?
Teens as a group are
more likely to take risks and
less likely to wear seat belts.
Furthermore, they are prone to underestimate
dangers associated with hazardous situations,
and less capable of dealing with
them properly. Younger teens simply
have not yet grasped the full and
far reaching realities of driving.
Plus, many have little or no driver’s
training at night or during
inclement weather. In summary, it's a
matter of age and immaturity further
compounded by inexperience.
The characteristics of young
drivers' accidents?
There are significant traits common to
younger drivers’ accidents.
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44% of crashes involving teenage
drivers are single vehicle crashes. Frequently, the car left the road,
turned over or struck a tree or pole.
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82%
of teen car crashes involve driver error -- a much higher rate than
any other age group.
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Incidents are more likely to occur on a Friday or Saturday
evening with multiple teens in the car.
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Crashes involving teenagers kill more passengers than those where the
operator was older.
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Safety Belts and Teens 2003 Report: Teens have the highest fatality
rate in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group.
One of the simplest ways
to survive a car crash is just simply putting on your seat belt!
Many high school students fail to use
their safety belts even when riding with adults who are buckled up. An
observational survey conducted at 12 high schools found that 46% of high school students were not wearing their safety belts when
riding with adult drivers. About half of the unbelted students were
riding with adults who were belted.
Statistical information obtained by the U.S.
Department of Transportation, The Issuance Institute of Hwy. Safety and
National Highway safety Traffic Administration
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