Teen Drivers

[stryker09]

We have all had plenty of run-ins with a teen/young adult driver (we're mainly talking ages 16-21) who just plain drives like an idiot, or is extremely inexperienced. Being 19, I fall into this age group. I think that I am a good, responsible driver, and I know there are plenty of people in this age group who are as well. But, let's face it...there are plenty who are not.

What would you suggest be done to help train younger drivers to become better drivers? New laws? More training programs?

Thoughts....

[Robb]

We have all had plenty of run-ins with a teen/young adult driver (we're mainly talking ages 16-21) who just plain drives like an idiot, or is extremely inexperienced. Being 19, I fall into this age group. I think that I am a good, responsible driver, and I know there are plenty of people in this age group who are as well. But, let's face it...there are plenty who are not.

What would you suggest be done to help train younger drivers to become better drivers? New laws? More training programs?

Thoughts....

Being in that category (I only have a permit, stupid NJ laws :p ) I really don't think there is much that is really going to change it. The majority of bad drivers in that age group are bad because they just don't care about the laws or dont feel like being curteous drivers. No training or laws are going to change that. The only thing that I think works is just making sure High Schools provide Drivers ED classes because for those that do want to make good drivers its a good way for them to learn all the rules of the road instead of just reading over a manual an hour before the DMV test. Forcing kids that want their permit to go through a Driving School, although not always financially enjoyable, does help in some aspects. But again I really think its all about the attitude. I know some kids who are awesome drivers, but their attitude is trying to be bad *** and "I dont care" so instead they just turn themselves into an accident waiting to happen.

[Roger Dat]

I dont think there is much to do to try and curb it, I have heard suggestions of raising the license age in NY to 18 from 16 but I dont think that will help. Bottom line is that your first few years behind the wheel people seem more inclined to take chances and drive reckless until the thrill wears off.

I personally am more scared of elderly drivers. My grandmother god bless her at the age of 74 scares the CRAP out of me. I easily find myself saying WTF more often in the direction of elderly drivers than kids.

[scott715us]

My opinion as a LEO, it starts with the parenting. Parents must teach their kids:

1) To respect the laws and those that enforce them
2) To respect vehicles and recognize the dangers of careless driving
3) That you will get a foot in the *** if you don't obey the first two
4) That it's no one's fault but your own if you're cited or arrested
5) To take responsibility for sh** you get caught doing
6) If you want to change a law, write to your legislators and not try discuss it on the shoulder of the road
7) To NEVER drink and drive

It starts at home. Drivers ED and other things can help, but if you don't have a good foundation, then nothing else matters.

[Oldbillplod]

In the UK you have to be 17 to drive.

We have this organisation which helps to improve your driving ability

http://www.iam.org.uk/

[Firestorm]

While teenagers have the right to learn how to drive, I feel that many of them should not drive alone until they've practiced at least over a year of driving every day for two or three hours in all types of weather conditions and traffic types with a vetern licensed driver.

I don't know about anyone else, but I've heard too many cases where teenagers who received their driver's licenses or permits thought they could drive like a vetern and ended up killed in a car crash because they didn't know how to handle a certain situation, such as a semi truck jackknifing in front of them, or coming upon an icy spot in the road.

I do realize there are some mature teenagers out there, however being mature is not the same as being experienced.

[DieByTheGun]

Enforce death penalties.

[JakeLock]

Enforce death penalties.

What the hell does that have to do with driving laws? That was one of the dumbest post I've ever read. It bordered on red...

[DieByTheGun]

Sorry, was trying to input a little bit of humor here.

[JakeLock]

Sorry, was trying to input a little bit of humor here.

Alright, well one of these would've helped ---> :rolleyes:

[ChesCopPodz]

I dont think there is much to do to try and curb it, I have heard suggestions of raising the license age in NY to 18 from 16 but I dont think that will help. Bottom line is that your first few years behind the wheel people seem more inclined to take chances and drive reckless until the thrill wears off.

I couldn't agree more. The bottom line is that inexperienceed drivers will make mistakes. It doesn't matter if they are 16 or 21 when they first start to drive, they will make mistakes. Now at the same time I don't think it's a good idea to buy little Johnny a brand new sports car for his 16th, that's just inviting disaster.

[madsnax]

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!

[retdetsgt]

Oregon cracked down on them by requiring a minimum amount of driving instruction by a parent while possessing a learner's permit.

Also they can't drive with other teenagers in the car until they are 18 unless there is someone over 21 accompanying them. Studies have shown that most wrecks caused by teenagers are when they have their buddies with them.

I haven't seen any stats, but I understand it's dropped the number of wrecks by kids significantly.

Frankly, I would have hated it when I was a kid! You can't even take a girl on a date w/o a 21 yr old. The silver lining of that is the 21 yr old can buy beer!:D

[Shagnwrx]

There are specialized driving courses out there geared for 15/16 year old new drivers. These courses go WAY beyond the Driver's Education that you took in High School.

We teach one here through the Alabama Region SCCA and having alot of success with this program. The course we teach is called the New Driver Car Control Clinic http://www.carcontrol.com.

Focus for most New Driver classes is on Car Control, Emergency Maneuvers, Accident avoidance, threshold braking, What ABS feels like, and all of the psychological games to improve awareness (a.k.a. talking to yourself while driving, describing the scene i.e. traffic, conditions, other car positions).

There are quite a few "New Driver" courses, here are some:
BSR Incorporated, Summit Point W.Va
Skip Barber Racing, nationwide
Bob Bondurant Racing, Arizona

Hope this helps!

[retdetsgt]

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.