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Summer means peak in teen drivers
By Senitra Horbrook, Staff Writer
Next time you’re in the car, glance over at the driver in the next lane. Is it a teenager?
Research from Liberty Mutual reveals that the summer months are more popular than any other season for teens to obtain their learner’s permit and take their driver’s test.
“The summer is way more popular for teens to get their learner’s permit or driver’s license,” said Penny Wells, president and executive director of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). “More than a third get it then.”
“We do know that June and July are the most dangerous months of the year. The popular conception is that it’s prom time, but it’s not,” Wells said. “(In the summer) teens are driving more, driving later with more teens in the car and that puts teen drivers at risk.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported teen fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 2006 spiked to 558 in July and 484 in August, compared to 400 fatalities in January and 402 in February.
“Teen drivers expect everybody to do what they have been taught to do,” said Dave Melton, director of Transportation Technical Consulting Services at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. “They don’t anticipate bad decisions by other drivers. They are somewhat oblivious to people doing the wrong things.”
Sixteen-year-olds only represent 7 percent of licensed drivers, but make-up 14 percent of car crash fatalities, according to research.
“It used to be drunk driving, impaired driving was the No. 1 killer of teens,” Wells said. “Car crashes are still the No. 1 killer of teens, but now it’s speeding, drowsy driving, being impaired by marijuana and prescription drugs and distracted driving.”
Experts agree that parents need to play a greater role in guiding the new driver in their household.
“It’s incumbent on parents to give kids the experience they’ve gained thru the years by pointing out other actions by unsafe drivers, trying to help them learn what they learned,” Melton said.
A 2006 SADD/Liberty Mutual study showed that teens whose parents set expectations and follow through with clear consequences about breaking the law while driving are less likely to have driven under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs than are teens whose parents do not follow through with consequences.
“Parents can learn about communicating with teens and the laws in their state. Parents are the first line of defense and enforcing state laws,” Wells said. “Consistently we have found parents that have regular communication with teens (and) parents who have family rules are more likely to have teens that drive safer.”
The advent and increasing use of cell phones fall under distracted driving and can also be a cause of crashes for teens.
“They ought to stay off the cell phones and certainly not text while driving,” Melton said. “It’s the mental distraction, not the one hand on the wheel. Teens think they can multitask. Parents shouldn’t be calling their kids while they know they’re driving. If (parents) get a call from their kids, they should ask are you driving and if so say pull over and we’ll talk.”
Parents should also check into the crash ratings of their child’s vehicle. Melton recommends a four-door sedan for new teen drivers.
“I am not a fan of teens driving large SUV-type vehicles. They are difficult to handle in emergency situations. I know the pick-up truck is the choice for young males, bit pick-up trucks are just bad news. They are the least likely drivers to wear seatbelts at any age and teenagers are less likely to wear seatbelts,” Melton said. “I would go with a four-door sedan. The body structure is stronger. Go with a medium size car, not real small not real big, at least anti-lock brakes and if the family can afford it, stability control.”
Texas is among many states that has a graduated license program. In phase one of the program, applicants under age 18 must hold an instruction permit or hardship license for a minimum of six months prior to issuance of a provisional Class A, B, or C driver’s license. In addition, the minimum age of the person who must accompany any instruction permit holder during the operation of the vehicle is 21 years of age. Phase Two restricts the driving privileges of those under 18 during the six-month period following the issuance of an original Class A, B, or C driver’s license. Teens may not drive with more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member. They also cannot drive while using a cell phone or between midnight and 5 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency.
“The reason states are doing this is there has been a lot of research that says it works,” Wells said. “Introducing teens slowly has been shown to really help them to drive safer and to save lives.”
For more information and teen driving resources, visit www.libertymutualteendriving.com.
Contact Senitra Horbrook at 972-628-4074 or shorbrook@acnpapers.com. Comment on this story at scntx.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Concerned Driver wrote on Aug 26, 2008 9:32 PM:
" This is exactly why I as a parent and a driver am concerned about parent taught driver education. It is imperative that teens recieve a good foundation in driving basics. Luckily Carrollton now has a wonderful addition to its offerings. I sent my child to Right Start Driving School and was very pleased in how she was taught not to fall into these traps that take the lives of so many teens. "
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