Auto Accidents - Number One Killer of Teens(2)
Posted by
Rick PattersonFebruary 13, 2007 11:39 AMIt would probably be safe to say that one of the most exciting times of a teenager's young life it the day they get their license to drive. A close second would probably be the day they get access to a vehicle. At the same time, this may prove to be a very worrysome time for the parents of that teen.
Parents generally realize just how distracted an inexperienced teen can be. While that type of distraction in the past may have amounted to a lesser grade for the teen, with respect to driving, the stakes are much higher. A distraction while driving can prove deadly. The fact of the matter is, teen driving is the No. 1 killer of American teens.
In Illinois lawmakers are considering a proposal that would make the state's teen driver licensing system one of the nation's most stringent. Placing restrictions on teen licenses "is clearly the best policy intervention we have so far to reduce teen driving deaths," said Daniel Keating, who studies adolescent development and the teen brain at the University of Michigan. "It has the biggest bang for the buck."
While it is true that each and every state currently has some type of Graduated Driver Licensing, (GDL), it is also true that the rules vary greatly. It probably goes without saying that in the states with the most stringent rules for teen drivers, fatality rates have declined.
Believe it or not, in many states there has been perceived opposition from parents who don't feel that they have the time to conduct additional driving lessons with their teens and/or they want to be relieved from their current chauffeuring duties. The fact is, effective GDL systems, include lengthy adult-supervised driving practice, restrictions on night driving and limits on the number of teen passengers. Parents should consider getting behind these measures. It may not only protect their teen, but it would protect other innocent drivers who share the road.