PLN #1 (10-3-07)

In this article from the NYT by Jeff Topping about teen driving safety many solutions are brought up to lessen the probability of teen accidents. Research has shown: since 1993, fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers have dropped 23 percent, according to the Journal of Safety Research. According to this article the amount of accidents has been reduced by five simple rules/guidelines parents are enforcing upon teens. The first of these rules is “make sure your teen is rested,” this proved to be true, in the reduction in accidents, by recent research done by Virginia Tech. Researchers said that, “when the kids crashed, it was often because they were impaired by fatigue. They made judgment errors, didn’t recognize hazards and were indecisive. And all these mistakes were compounded because the teens hadn’t had much practice behind the wheel.” The second of these rules/guidelines is “to ban cell phones, which reduced distractions in the car. “Don’t let teens drive or ride with other teens,” was the third of these tips given to parents and teens. “Don’t let teens drive at night,” and “Impose strict rules,” we of the two other tips given. Researchers say driving at night is the riskiest time for teen drivers.

Will our parents take all this advice and force it upon us? As I read this article I think of how dangerous it really is for teen drivers in the world today. When I hear of accidents in the news today I always wonder if not only do these problem occur in teen driving, but do they occur in adults driving too? It’s not only teen drivers who get into accidents. Though the level of teen accidents are proven to be higher. While reading this article I think about Cameron Elliot who died in a car accident near AHS not but 4 years ago. Was it his fault or another driver’s fault? Either way I think all people need to read these guidelines and statistics and take them into account. Also as most of us begin our journey into the driving world, we should be forced to take drivers ed to make us safer on the road. These statistics not widely shared should also be showed to new teen drivers to make us all face reality. Surprisingly i don't think these enforcements would help all new teen drivers.