Feature Articles 2023

Teen Drivers: Dangers to Themselves

Kayla Garcia, Jaguar Journal

05 December 2023

Teenagers are a vulnerable population in the driving world, as car accident fatalities are the leading cause of death for teens 13-19 in America (Teen Drivers: Get the Facts, CDC). That corresponds to about 2800 adolescents a year dying on the roads. Our youth population, as well as their adult counterparts, should be aware of how this pattern is not just a cautionary tale, but a harsh reality that touches the lives of more people now than ever before. 

In accidents where the death of a teen was a result, only 56% of riders were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Laws and top safety protocols require seat belts to be worn in vehicles, as users assume the risks they take when not applying it properly.

When asked if cars are tested for these common scenarios, Automotive Safety and Development engineer, Anthony Garcia, confirms some of the car crash scenario tests are conducted without the dummies wearing seat belts, and in which they had greater damage and their systems giving off more inner harm alerts. With these tests, we can assume the risks of unbelted riders, but safety is not modified to comply with the choice in this behavior.

Statistics show teen drivers are susceptible to drunk driving. A calculation in 2021 showed 27% of drivers 15-20 years old involved in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 g/dL or higher (Drunk Driving, United States Department of Transportation). Although the legal limit for those under 21 is a B.A.C. percentage of 0.05 or lower, it does not improve the numbers. Adding to that, minors with any alcohol intake are illegal. 

Given that 27% of older teen drivers in accidents contain some sort of B.A.C, we can say over a quarter of teen accidents involve alcohol. As per the alcohol, there is less control over oneself. Without the control of being sober and the false confidence being under the influence provides, the faulty driving of a teen creates worse situations. Speeding, lower reaction times, and unfocused attention are other cons to add to the fact.

According to “The Dangers of Teen Speeding” by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “... among serious crashes where teen driver error was the cause, 21% occurred from going too fast for road conditions.” Teenagers are the most likely to speed than anyone else on the road. They do not have an adjusted level on their speeds quite yet and it causes them to become out of control. 

Contrary to the imagination, it does not take much to ramp up the dangers of speed. Even the speed limits are dangerously high. Anthony Garcia says, “Every mile per hour increases the energy of the crash. You can imagine it doesn’t seem like a lot makes a big difference. Just going 40 to 56 is almost 95% more kinetic energy.” The more kinetic energy produced in a crash creates greater casualties and damages. This may be why it seems teens get into accidents on a grander scale. The differences between the vehicle speeds have larger impacts and lead to the vehicle itself being more disfigured. 

Being reckless or unsafe is one thing, but being too careful is another. Some students from University Preparatory, such as Emily Meyer and Zury Andersen attest to the other side of the argument. On being asked what kind of driver she is, Emily admits, “I would definitely consider myself a cautious driver. I like to be extra careful myself since getting my license because a lot of other drivers are not, and I am less experienced with more dangerous or unexpected situations.” Playing on the defense while driving is what the California DMV recommends, as well. 

We see a similar mindset with Zury, “I am more scared of others, when someone stops in front of me and then I have to stop quickly I am scared someone is going to hit me.” With good intentions and careful driving, it can not guarantee a perfect ride.

Although the previous drivers are not accused of being overly cautious, it goes to show that not all teen drivers are rambunctious on the road. Only in some extreme situations can it be hypocritical to be careful. 

A statement written in “The Difference Between Cautious Drivers and Panicked Drivers” follows, “These are the drivers who are so worried that something might go wrong that they drive under the speed limit and avoid other cars on the road at all costs, both of which can actually increase the likelihood of an accident” (Suman, La Familia Auto Insurance). These drivers are the ones who are trapped in their heads, worried about everything and anything on the road. 

With these heightened anxieties, drivers are unpredictable and prone to making mistakes. Others on the road will not be able to determine the next move of this scared driver who may stop too soon, go too slow, or, in the worst scenarios, have a panic attack. 

Drowsy driving adds to the list of high reasons that death is so common on the road. “Teen Driving” tells, “In fact, in 2021, drowsy driving claimed 684 lives, and some studies even suggest drowsiness may have been involved in more than 10-20 percent of fatal or injury crashes” (Teen Safe Driving: How Teens Can Be Safer Drivers, NHTSA). While this is not classified as pure teen drivers or not, the total still racks in excessive amounts of fatalities on the road.

Teen drivers are likely to try and power through what is making them prone to risky driving. Being tired or exhausted is frequent in an adolescent's life. With school, work, early mornings, and late nights, a teen’s day is never done. They still have to get from place to place in good time with little sleep. Being in this state of go-go-go doesn’t give someone much time to rest or wait until later to drive to their destination.

Drowsiness will follow even when fighting through it as best as one can. A drowsy driver is similar to a drunk driver, admittedly or not. They have slower cognitive functions, faulty decision-making skills, low alertness, and so on. From before, we can see the results of drunk driving are not exactly pretty, especially when it comes to teenagers. 

The people behind the wheel are known as a factor in danger, but the vehicles themselves may have a factor of one's safety behind them, as well. Garcia says, “They’re constantly working on developing safer vehicles by testing newly developed engineering, whether it is electrical or mechanical.” There were always wrecks in the past and nowadays cars are safer than ever. So, the vehicles themselves are not what creates the incoming threats to more lives. 

Perhaps, cars can take account of teen death prevention with safety measures and design. When asked how he believes the crash tests can be improved to represent more young drivers, Garcia adds, “It just makes it safer for people in general. It is safer for all, and I would feel better with [teen drivers] driving in a car with airbags and crumple zones.” Cars are not able to solely prevent the deaths of many of our youth population. One should not only blame these kids on the road for reckless behavior, on the other hand. 

Kids watch their parents drive from the backseat to becoming the driver themselves. Without even realizing it, parents show their children what kind of driver is considered acceptable. The adults influence the kids' perception of responsibility and safety in the driving world. 

Some statistics found in “Are You A Good Role Model For Teen Drivers? Probably Not.” show astoundingly that 62% of parents say they use their phone to check incoming calls and/or talk while driving and 45% of parents admit they speed while driving (Gene Beresin, HuffPost). Accountability for these actions may not be demanded, but they certainly show up when their kids, with such little driving experience, do the same things with larger consequences. 

If the ones teaching the teens to drive are not following the law or proper protocol to protect everyone around them, it is less and less expected for the student to surpass that previously paved path. They are likely to fall down that same pattern of believing it is okay to do so, as the last time they did there wasn’t a punishment. It forms long-lasting habits, following teens into their own adult lives, continuing the cycle.  

These people who give us these fatal statistics are not just made-up numbers and points. They are people. They are people with meaningful lives and an impact on this world. Some vital tips to keep the teen death rate at a minimum, with the overall safety of the road more controlled, are brought to attention many times in one's learning journey. 

Guaranteeing all passengers are buckled before heading out will ensure the most basic safety possible. It may not seem like it will be a life-or-death situation, but it is. It can also protect from heavy whiplash, flailing about, and ejecting from the vehicle. 

Tailgating is a hazard numerous can bet on while on the road. Previously mentioned as a scare to Zury Andersen, it is not irrational. Depending on the speeds and conditions, a seemingly small accident can cause a lifetime of damage to either party getting hit. 

Keeping passengers in check helps tone down the ride and cease distractions to a minimum. The  teen cliche of having friends in the car and living it up can make it difficult to focus on what is happening outside of the inside party bubble. Letting others peer pressure someone into driving unsafe is not a viable option for safety either.

It is recommended that teens talk with trusted adults about how driving can impact one’s life for better or worse. To be aware of the risks of the road is to increase one’s livelihood and all those surrounding them. Teen drivers will gain experience as time continues, and it is just another stepping-stone into their developing lives.