Teen Drivers

[stryker09]

With teenagers, I don't think it's nearly as much about driving skills as it is judgment and maturity. Most are pretty good as far as handling the car, observation, etc. But they think they're gonna live forever and that nothing bad is going to happen to them no matter what they do. And when you get a bunch of teenagers in one car, the driver is much more apt to show off.

I would tend to agree with this. I saw a study somewhere that talked about how the part of the brain that determines risk doesn't fully develop until the early to mid 20's. So, I would say it is much more risk taking than lack of driving skills.

[scarlet_tunic]

Oh yes.. I made a mistake when I first got my DL.. Man, talk about a shocker! I ran a stop sign (didn't see it, its visibility was partially obstructed by a tree).. T'boned a speeder - and sent her into the wall of a pretty small house.. The wall crashed down, and a little lady came running out the front door, freaking out. I was shocked. I just sat there, frozen, in my car. I didn't get a ticket, but my insurance company dropped me. Amazing.. 2 weeks with a DL and a car and I get dropped by my insurance company. OUCH!

That was the only wreck I've ever been at fault, I've only been in 1 other accident - in which I was the victim of a stop sign runner. What goes around comes around!

Everybody has their "scared crapless" moments...I've had two in four (almost 5) years of driving. One was during my actual driver's test....I was turning left with an ambulance coming towards me lights and sirens....I got scared, and nearly turned in front of the ambulance (it was the instructor's brake that saved us)...and of course I failed the test. Not one of my brighter moments :(

The second happened in college...I fell asleep during my exciting English course, and began the 40 minute drive home after. I was still groggy when I merged onto the main road, and didn't notice the car ahead stop (I was shoulder checking)....not a bad hit (just a little bump, and three paint chips)...but the most embarassing part of that was it was my Law teacher driving the other car! Needless to say, I was on pins and needles for the next few weeks in her class, but she never even got a claim form in (bless her soul).

So I guess the main thing is to teach kids to be aware at all times (expect the unexpected), and to teach them young (more experience sooner, less accidents later, hopefully). That's what worked for me...says the girl who in five years who's never been pulled over or has any accidents on her record (knock on wood). :D

[marinepilot]

With teenagers, I don't think it's nearly as much about driving skills as it is judgment and maturity. Most are pretty good as far as handling the car, observation, etc. But they think they're gonna live forever and that nothing bad is going to happen to them no matter what they do. And when you get a bunch of teenagers in one car, the driver is much more apt to show off.

+ 1, took the words right out of my mouth.

[Shagnwrx]

The invincibility attitude from the teen drivers has alot to do with their ignorance of the dynamics (The physics and mental aspects) of a collision. Something that is learned from experience.

There is no absolute substitute for experience and maturity. However, you can get the youngins a couple steps up on the game by showing them what actually can happen in a collision, what forces come into play, and what it takes to minimize or avoid the impact of a crash.

We're seeing alot of dropping jaws from kids when they realize (thru excercises) what happens when a vehicle is on the edge of traction, and how much effort/force/finesse it takes to get a two ton Suv or car to change direction.

[madsnax]

I definitely learned from my experience.. Unfortunately, I had to learn it the hard way - but I did.

BE OBSERVANT! PAY ATTENTION!

Lots of accidents occur because BOTH involved parties aren't paying attention.

[scarlet_tunic]

I definitely learned from my experience.. Unfortunately, I had to learn it the hard way - but I did.

BE OBSERVANT! PAY ATTENTION!

Lots of accidents occur because BOTH involved parties aren't paying attention.

Oh, I can attest to that from today for sure! I was just finishing up work with the truck (I'm a courier while I wait for another special constable job to open up), and I was coming up to one of those mall driveways. This little blonde bimbo (that's what she was!) driving a silly little import drives out of the mall, turning left. She's looking to her right to merge into that lane. I saw her but with the big truck, it's hard to just stop on a dime. I think I maybe missed her by a foot....

Reason I mention it, is because she's probably in the 16-18 range. I'm not a whole lot older, but then again I've been driving since I was 14 (thank heavens for nice country roads and farm driving :D )

[james13f]

And when you get a bunch of teenagers in one car, the driver is much more apt to show off.

Bingo. Limit them to no passengers for the first year, maybe two. Or perhaps only certain passengers like parents.

All the stupid crap I did when I first started driving (and I did a lot) was to impress/joke with friends. I was a relatively safe driver if I was by myself, or had a true adult (not just someone 18+) in the car.

[mpd145]

I get my lisence on monday!!!! I think there already strict enough....goin through drivin school was like goin through hell....

[mcsap]

My state now requires ...

150 hrs of instruction ( can be parents , school or drivers ed) before going from a permit to a junior license.

Junior Ops can't drive btweeen 11 pm and 5 am.

Junior Ops can't have more passengers than there are seatbelts in the vehicle.

Permits/Junior Ops can lose their license for even being partially at fault in a crash and if they get points , will get suspended a lot easier than someone with a regular license.

The only restriction that has been around longer than me has been the nighttime one. And that used tot be midnight-5am.

ALL of these requirements are helping to make young drivers better drivers.

The rest will have to come from the parents ( not buying their 16 yr old a Mustang GT) being responsible, the teen being responsible , and lastly and autograph session with me can have a lasting impact.

[Foo Man]

With teenagers, I don't think it's nearly as much about driving skills as it is judgment and maturity. Most are pretty good as far as handling the car, observation, etc. But they think they're gonna live forever and that nothing bad is going to happen to them no matter what they do. And when you get a bunch of teenagers in one car, the driver is much more apt to show off.

That just about summed up everything I was thinking. I think maturity is the main factor. You definitely don't have the same mindset as a teenager as you do when you get older. Of course, there are plenty of "mature" drivers who should be banned from driving too. :rolleyes:

I know it's not just a South Florida thing, but I've seen everything from talking on a cell phone to a girl painting her nails while driving. Do people not realize that it only takes a split second for something really bad to happen in a 2 ton piece of metal going 55+ mph?

[kels]

Change and restrict driver license usage.
A 15/16 year olds do not need to drive after 7pm in the evening
unless with a legal adult. But allow school functions and church
activities.
B 17 year olds do not need to drive after 11 pm. Add above restrictions
to them.

(You want to know how many accidents I have worked involing under 18 yoa
drivers after dark?
You want to know how many under 18 yoa drivers I have buried in 24 years?
You want to guess how many were drinking?)

[CheesyHat]

I think kids need to stop showing off infront of other kids. Many times when I used to pick up my little sister at school, I saw some horrible things like teens driving on the wrong side of the road just to cut infront of the traffic leaving school, burn outs, fast acceleration when there is only 30 feet of room infront of them and then slamming on the brakes.. these kids are insane! I really with the police would just sit in the lots and watch these jerks. Makes me so mad that none of them have respect for the law.