Teenage Drivers Risks and Essential Regulation

Teenage Drivers Risks and Essential Regulation

There are many different opinions regarding teenage drivers. Some people believe they

should be regulated, while others think regulations are unnecessary. This issue is currently a hot

topic. Teenage drivers involve teenagers who are after 16 years old and available to drive a car. It

means teenagers can get a license during high school. They usually get licensed and buy their

own car. They boast their cars and skills to their friends and family. They used their car many

ways because after they got a license, they did not have many regulations. However, some

people view them negatively due to the risks associated with teenage drivers. The common

reason for people who see them negatively is because of their risk of using a car. Currently, the

number of teenagers who have a license has increased because driving their own car permits

them to go anywhere even though driving is practical and thrilling for teenage drivers, but they

need regulations to control and reduce their accidents and illegal problems.

To begin with, teenage drivers are more at risk of car accidents. Teenagers usually

assume that driving is simple and enjoyable, so they want to try it and feel confident that they

can do it unhindered. However, “driving requires complex skills” and other skills like

“multitasking, decision-making, and spatial awareness” (Underage drivers). It is a common

misconception that younger children are completely formed. Most teenagers did not fully

develop. If teenagers lack proper preparation and do not develop complex skills, then their

driving will bring some accidents. Accidents may happen as a result of their mistakes, but it may

also happen as a result of their conceit. According to the CDC, “Teens drivers ages 16 to 19”

have caused “nearly three times” of fatal crashes. (Immaturity and Inexperience Put Your Teen

Driver at Risk). They “most are at risk of motor vehicle accidents” (Immaturity and Inexperience

Put Your Teen Driver at Risk). Additionally, teenagers’ developing brains make it harder for

them to follow traffic laws and stay fully attentive to everything when driving than adults do.

Teenagers struggle to respond in a variety of traffic situations, which makes them increase the

rate of accidents. According to Kids and Car safety, many car and other vehicle accidents are

never publicly reported because they are minor cases. One major contributing factor is

distraction. Distraction increases young drivers' risk of car crashes. Distraction is typically worse

during adolescence and gets worse as an adult. Compared to adults, teenagers are more

dangerous than adults. This highlights the importance of regulations that are necessary to help

parents of teenagers unwind or encourage safe driving. Teenage drivers require parental

assistance and regulation due to all of these factors.

In addition, teenage drivers' immature behavior can lead to traffic transgressions.

Teenagers are still developing. When their body develops, they also develop their minds and

behaviors. Teenagers are not fully grown and that's the reason why teenagers are often called

immature. Maturity can change in just one year. Even if there is just one age gap, “it depends on

their maturity” (Immaturity and Inexperience Put Your Teen Driver at Risk). Students believe

they can drive just as well as adults because they believe there is not a significant age difference

between them. However, many results prove otherwise. Despite their lack of maturity, they often

overestimate their abilities, which can lead to traffic problems. Although some teenagers still

believe they are mature. According to the surveys of teen drivers, 25% of teens respond to a text

message” and “nearly 20% of teens and 10% of parents” both agreed that “extended text

conversations while driving” (Linden, et al 704), which are typical causes of auto accidents. It

represents the reason why regulation is needed for teenage drivers. This survey represented that

regulations for passenger limits are required for teens who can not focus on driving and yapping

with friends. Immaturity plays a major role in teenager’s traffic problems.When teenagers

“Increasing maturity, improvement through experience,” then “loss of enthusiasm for risk

driving” (Brien, et al 411). This represents that their hasty and excessive enthusiasm increases

the risk of driving. Teens, like their parents, should teach them how to reduce traffic issues

among teenagers in order to prevent these issues. However, not all parents have time to teach and

lead them to safe driving, such as parents who do not have driving licenses or are busy.

Therefore, teenage drivers especially need regulations to lead them to safe driving.

Lastly, teenage drivers can also misuse their cars for delinquent behavior. Teenagers can

commit crimes such as theft, violence or even run away from home. Unlike adults, teenagers do

not have financial independence and responsibility, they use their car for rebellion. In some

cases, teenagers have “Easy access to vehicles” owned by people around them (Underage

Drivers). Parents and acquaintances are given a chance to drive and teach teenage drivers their

car. Their “making it easier for them to gain access” to their car (Underage Drivers). Some of the

students who aimed to steal cars, stole acquaintances' cars and used their cars on criminals. There

are some adults that use immature teenagers to steal cars. The reason they use it is that teenage

crimes get less punishment. For this reason, when teenagers have easy access to challenging

vehicles, some crime cases can occur. Also, teenagers do not have money when they run away

from home, so they will choose a car for their living. If they have a license too, then they will

drive their car a long distance, then finding them is very difficult. In particular, current students

are exposed to violent media, so teenagers can use their car. Violent video games modify them to

the idea and act of their crime. For instance, the famous game Grand Theft Auto, also known as

GTA, caused 10 more crimes, 5 of which were committed by teenagers. Also, excluding video

game influences, social media that teens are mostly used to, so they influence social media

trends. Some trends are aggressive, but they can not recognize what’s wrong with that and

modify their crimes. A group of teenagers, such as the “Kia Boys” in Wisconsin, posted videos

of them stealing their Kia and Hyundai vehicles. According to the National Crime Information

Center “542% more Hyundai and Kia” models are “thefts in 2021 in the Milwaukee-Waukesha”

(Shapiro). Criminal cases involving teenage drivers are increasing, and they have become a

serious social issue. Therefore, many adults suggest more regulations, such as curfew, or limiting

driving times to prevent these kinds of cases.

These reasons are why teenage drivers need regulation. Even if they take lessons the

same as adults, they pose a greater risk on the road. Because of these reasons, some people

strongly assert more regulations for teen drivers to stop their risk of causing more regulation than

adults require for them. They bring accidents and traffic problems. Sometimes, they are involved

with crime cases. While teenage drivers and some people argue that regulations do not need

them. This is because people thought that regulation was an invasion of teenage driver’s

freedom, and they are similar to other adult drivers. However, many accidents, crimes, and

factors adult drivers suffer because of teen drivers. People should need regulations to reduce

these social issues. To reduce these issues, they need stricter regulations such as curfews,

passenger or time limits and more education. These regulations will help teenagers to understand

their responsibilities, safety behaviors, and decrease teenage driver’s accidents on the road.