The Consequences of Distracted Teens Driving

Crash! An accident has happened between two cars on the road. A distracted teen has hit the car of an elderly woman. The teen was distracted while driving. “By what?” you might ask, well let’s find out. For most teens learning to drive is a rite of passage. It is very important to most, and it is needed in their everyday lives. However, teens in high school are easily distracted and influenced by others causing them to put their lives and other peoples life in danger. Therefore, the community should work to prevent distracted teen driving. Teens are easily distracted by many things, such as cell phones, alcohol, drugs, and other teens. 

Federal research states that 11% of car accidents are a cause of distracted driving. 58% of teen crashes are due to teens driving while distracted. Around 6 in 10 teen crashes are caused by distracted driving. Some reports state 963,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 years old had been involved in crashes during the year of 2013. Many of the accidents resulted in 2,865 deaths and 383,000 injuries. Close to 9 people are killed and over 1,000 are injured daily in accidents in which at least 1 driver was distracted. During the first 6 months of a teen getting their license, they are at the highest risk. Parents need to set limits for their driving teens. They need to be strict and set rules. Rules such as no phone usage while in the vehicle. No drugs and no alcohol either. They need to be sure to follow these rules to a “T” and not let their children stray from the path of safe driving. The teen driving needs to know the consequences of not following these rules and what severe damage can be caused by driving distractedly. Teens should be fully aware of the rules of driving distractedly and the severe consequences of not following these rules. Driving distractedly can cause major damage most times even death. 

Teens get distracted by many things while behind the wheel of a car on the road. To limit distractions teens should not be allowed to have a cell phone present on their person at any time while behind the wheel and if caught should be suspended from driving until taught to do otherwise. Teens should focus on the road and any of the surroundings outside of the car. Any passengers should also abide by this if the rule is not followed the teen should be banned from having any other passenger in the vehicle beside another licensed driver over the age of 20 until further notice. Teens should never drink or do drugs and the get behind the wheel of any motor vehicle under any circumstances. If the teen is caught driving under the influence the teen should be banned from driving until further notice. 

For 16 to 20-year old’s crashes are the leading cause of death. the community could teach lessons to new teen drivers on all the safety rules and how to stay focused while behind the wheel of a car. Parents can pinpoint and emphasize what they believe their teens are doing wrong behind the wheel and help them to do better. Teens can encourage their peers to be safe and stay focused while driving as well by talking with one another and helping each other follow the rules and become better drivers. We could use some of our new technologies to be sure that our teens follow the rules while behind the wheel as well. As a community, everyone should work together to keep our teens on the right path when it comes to driving. 

All rules always need to be enforced when it comes to driving teens. If rules are broken consequences should be enforced. It is very dangerous to drive distractedly. It could have major consequences such as death and severe injuries to anyone involved. Teens should always be aware while driving and we as a community need to work together to make that happen.