Finally, seven of the 11 only require a holding a permit for one month (Williams 4). After receiving a learner's permit, a teen might take a behind the wheel course next. Behind the wheel programs are great except the fact that it is impossible to teach a student a lifetime's amount of driving skill in one month. Once receiving their license, teens become overwhelmed with their cockiness and feel invulnerable on the road.
The fatal accident rate for 16-year-olds is especially high at night (Miller 2). Teens drive with the attitude "I am superman! I am invincible." This immaturity and impulsiveness of young drivers leads to poor judgement and high-risk behaviors such as speeding and improper passing (DMV). Most often around schools, many people have witnessed an impatient teen driver, speeding recklessly down the road, changing lanes without signaling, tailgating, running stop signs and giving others the finger. These characteristics are expressions of immaturity (Williams 2). Speeding is the most typical cause of an accident, which causes the vehicle to overturn and flip (DMV). The neglect of safety belt use is unimaginable. A survey showed that safety belts were used most by .
teens at church, 65%. At high school, use was about 43%; in shopping areas it was 39 %, and at recreational events, 37% of teens used their seat belts (DMV). In 1998, 63% of teens between 15-19 years old that died in passenger vehicles didn't have on their seat.
belts (DMV). Not wearing safety belts, speeding and teenager's risky driving styles are misjudgments teens make more than older drivers do. .
41 percent of all teen deaths in 1999 occurred between 9p.m. and 6 a.m. ("Fatality") Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep per night, yet most only get less than six and a half. This is because teens have many responsibilities between school, sports, working and their social life. Therefore, a teen's drowsiness will impair their judgment and is likely to be a factor when teens drive late at night.
