Personal Statement : Self Defense Course

“The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16 to 19 year olds than among any other age group.” (Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet 1) “The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers. The risk increases with the number of teen passengers.” (Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet 1) In the United States motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause death in teens. “In 2010, seven teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries.” (Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet 2) This alarming number of casualties could be prevented by educating our teenage drivers prior to them being on their own and operating a couple ton weighing

In 2013, more than 2,500 teenagers died in the United States from motor vehicle crash injuries. Such injuries are by far the leading public health problem for young people 13-19 years old (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS], 2014). Drivers are not the only ones at risk. Teenagers who are passengers in others vehicles make up a startling 87% of the fatality statistic. Lack of driving experience, disregard for traffic laws, and quick access to full driving privileges contribute to teen death. To reduce teen driving fatalities, successful completion of driver education classes provided by public and private schools should be mandatory for all teenagers prior to receiving their driving permit.

A driver’s license and a set of cars keys are every teenager’s wish at age sixteen and most parents worst nightmare. Most teenagers seem invincible at this age as they back out from the driveway. The parents cringe at the sight of the car leaving the driveway. Mom and Dad pray for the safe return of their child, while the teen’s heart races for freedom. Is sixteen a safe age for teenagers to be behind the wheel? Many factors such as distracted driving play a crucial role in the cause of fatal crashes for teenagers, however can increasing the legal driving age from sixteen to eighteen be a life-saver for teens.

Teens tend to be safer drivers then their middle-aged counter parts. The number of 15-20-year-old drivers in 2008 in single-vehicle crashes made up 14%, multi-vehicle was 10.4%, and 15-20year old drivers made up 11.9% of all fatal crashes; while the more middle aged 25-34year old drivers consisted of 20.9% for single vehicle crashes, 19% of all multi-vehicle crashes, and 19.8% of all fatal crashes, immensely higher stats then the teen drivers. This shows that teens are by far safer drivers then the middle aged, mature, adults.

One of the most anticipated moments in a teenager’s life is when they finally pass the driving exam and get to stare into their own fresh, gleaming, brand new driver’s license. This is certainly a life changing moment for any teenager, but not in the way they would expect. Sadly, car accidents with teens at fault cause more injuries and deaths than any other demographic in the world. While getting a license at 15 or 16 may be a commonplace milestone of the American way, the associated risks of having young teens driving without restriction are simply not worth the privilege of being able to drive at such an early age.

Turning sixteen-years-old is a milestone to many teenagers. In the majority of states, this is the age when adolescents become eligible for attaining a driver’s license. A growing number of people feel that the only way to truly prevent tragedy is to increase the driving age. Most teenagers and parents believe in this system, although many people feel that such action is necessary. A number of states in the United States have already increased the minimum age. These states use graduated licensing programs that put limitations on young drivers. The minimum age for attaining a driver’s license should be increased to 18-years-old due to numerous factors; these include emotional intelligence, disturbances while driving, and the underdevelopment of the brain.

“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” – P.J. O’Rourke. In 2013, two thousand-one hundred-sixty-three teens in the United States, age sixteen– nineteen, were killed and 243,243 were treated for injuries suffered in the car accidents. In simple terms, about six teenagers, age sixteen- nineteen, died every day from car crashes in that year! This problem needs to be resolved. Fortunately, there are solutions to decreasing motor crashes, like increasing the driving age to twenty-one. There’s been a great deal of controversy regarding if the driving age should be grown to twenty-one. Consider the driving age being brought up to twenty-one; teenagers are not adults yet (immature) and do not take driving seriously. Teens tend to not wear seatbelts and ride cars faster than adults, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among sixteen- nineteen year olds than any other group of drivers, and teens may consume alcohol and/or text and drive.

Teen driving is unsafe and dangerous, teen driving is the leading cause of teenage deaths in the United States with more than 5,000 teens dying a year. 17 year old Weston Griggs, killed himself and the 2 passengers he had in his car. But, this accident was no accident. Weston was going 70 mph in a 40 mph speed zone. The issue in this story is that young drivers like Weston, inexperienced and full of adrenaline are just hurting them selves and others by getting behind the wheel at such a young age. Teens between the ages 15 through 17 do not belong on the road. Outrageous amounts of teens are dying every year and these numbers are not changing, so why keep them on the road? Teen driving in the United States have three main problems

Teenagers today do not drive very well because they are still learning how to drive properly, but everyone is guilty of not driving very well at some point in their lives. Just think about that urge every teenager has when they drive, that urge will be built up for even longer causing them to be more dangerous on the road driving recklessly. In 2011, 18-19-year old’s had around 8,935 kids in the state of Illinois. Those people will have less driving

Driving has become a popular mean of transportation which in turn will also come with fatalities and accidents like most means of transportation. Ignorance when driving is never bliss because from one second to the next, you may end up crushed against a brick wall of a building and feel blood trickle down the sides of your face. Regardless the risk that may multiply when driving, teens have been most famous for fatal crashes among the world's population for our ignorance to be educated and to keep our “heads on a swivel”. It does not surprise one to hear of a teen crashing into another driver or of a teen striking an innocent bystander. Many states hold strict restrictions, programs, and laws in place which logically would lower the amount

At the age of sixteen, driving is considered a coming of age, a transition from childhood to adulthood. Frequently the older a child gets, the more prepared they are in making wise decisions. Contrary to popular belief, driving does not improve with age unless this process is continuous. A driving education course will remove any questions and concerns a young driver might experience, ultimately they are further suitable for the road. With many of the current driving accidents affiliated to teens, young drivers are in desperate need of further training. Driver training courses should be implemented as well as required prior to receiving one’s license because young adults’ brains are not yet developed, thus needing further training. Only then will roads become safer and the parents of teens will have that peace of mind they so fervently crave.

In the article “Teen Drivers”, it talks about the importance of safe driving. Many teens feel that once they get their license, they have freedom and forget about safety. In 2013, 963,000 teen drivers were involved in police-reported motor vehicle crashes resulting in 383,000 injuries and 2,865 deaths nationwide.

Teens need to be taught that driving is a task that is complex and demanding. Parents know how much experience a young driver has, and they know exactly how inconvenient it is when they have to drive with their teen everywhere while they have their permit. Teens tend to cause most traffic accidents in adults’ eyes. They are not experienced yet, and often fail to pay attention to others on the road. They often think of a car as being some type of toy, but they do not know how powerful it really is. The driver education programs must be strengthened in order to make sure that students really have safer habits, behind the wheel experience, and by having a better understanding of all the laws on the road.

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults. More than 5,000 young people die every year in car crashes and thousands more are injured. Drivers who are 16 years old are more than 20 times as likely to have a crash, as are other drivers. There are two main reasons why teens are at a higher for being in a car crash and lack of driving experience and their tendency to take risks while driving. Teens drive faster and do not control the car as well as more experienced drivers. Their judgment in traffic is often insufficient to avoid a crash. In addition, teens do most of their driving at night, which can be even more difficult. Standard driver's education classes include 30 hours of classroom teaching and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. This is not enough time to fully train a new driver. Teen drivers are more like to be influence by peers and other stresses and distractions. This can lead to reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and not wearing safety belts. There is no safe amount that you can drink and still drive. Even one drink can influence your driving offences. “Nowadays, drunk driving has become driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, driving while under the influence, operating while under the influence (impaired, intoxicated, or whatever), and in many

“...since the first graduated driver programs were instituted, there have been 1,348 fewer deadly crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. But at the same time, there have been 1,086 more fatal crashes that involved 18-year-olds…” (O’Connor 2). There has been much controversy regarding the minimum driving age for teens. With the raising or lowering of the minimum driving age, comes many “pros” and “cons.” Moreover, the minimum driving age should not be raised as it brings more unconcerned, inexperienced and crashes upon drivers.