Your comment post should be at least 380
words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be
responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least
a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).
Student
Question | If Teenagers Are Such Bad Drivers, Should They Be Allowed to Drive?
MARCH 22, 2016 5:00 AM March 22, 2016 5:00 am
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “Per mile driven, teen drivers ages
16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to
be in a fatal crash.”
If
teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive?
In “Teenage Drivers? Be Very Afraid,” Bruce Feiler
recommends that one way to improve safety among teenage drivers is to get
parents more involved:
Spend enough time having
parenting conversations, as I’ve done personally and professionally for the
last dozen years, and certain patterns emerge. In nine out of 10 cases, if
you’re talking about highly motivated parents, the message to Mom and Dad is:
back off, chill out, park the helicopter.
Whether you want your
children to be independent, resilient, creative; whether you’re talking to
teachers, psychologists, grandparents; whether you’re discussing homework,
food, sports; the recommendation, time and again, is relax.
Recently, I stumbled onto
a topic in which the advice was the exact opposite.
Among the people who know
what they are talking about, the unanimous message to parents is: You’re not
worried nearly enough. Get much more involved. Your child’s life may be in
danger.
What’s the topic? Teenage
driving.
“If you’re going to have
an early, untimely death,” said Nichole Morris, a principal researcher at the
HumanFIRST Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, “the most dangerous two
years of your life are between 16 and 17, and the reason for that is driving.”
Among this age group,
death in motor vehicle accidents outstrips suicide, cancer and other types of
accidents, Dr. Morris said. “Cars have gotten safer, roads have gotten safer,
but teen drivers have not,” she said.
Students: Read the entire essay, then tell us:
— If
teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive? Why?
— Do
you think it would make sense to raise the age that teenagers get full,
unrestricted driver’s licenses from 16 and 17 in most states to 18 or even 20?
Why?
— Do
you agree with Mr. Feiler that parents should get more involved when it comes
to their teenage son or daughter’s driving?
— Can
you drive yet? Are you a good driver? Are your friends? Or do you think you
will be a good driver when you’re old enough to get your license? Why?
— What
do you think is the best way to make teenage driving safer?
Teenages should definitly be able to drive at 16 or 17. People have been driving at that age since forever, and people got by then when drinking laws were less strict and cars were way more dangerous. So why would we just stop that now and make people have to wait until they are 20. Thats ridiculous, there are a ton of people that work now and the are only 15, so how would we drive to our jobs and get where we want to get. You are a legal adult when you are 18, so your saying adults should not be allowed to drive. If I wanted to when I was 18, I could get on a plane and move to california and buy an apartment by myself. And I would be completely within my rights. But I couldn't drive. That is dumb. If you fail your driver's test, then you don't get your driver's test. And that's fine, i'm not saying all 16 year old should just be given their permits, or 17 year olds should just be given their licences. But, if you earn your license then you should absolutely get it. So teenagers should definitely drive. I do not agree with mr. feiler at all. When you are 17 you are learning to become an adult and how to take care of yourself. So the last thing we need is our parents even more all over us. I can not drive yet. But, when I can I think I will be a really good driver. My sister can drive, she is pretty good at driving. Also, I have to learn to drive on a stick shift, so it will be harder for me but I have seen my mom do it for years so I think I will be good at it. But if I get to take my drivers test on an automatic I think I will do really good because automatic cars are really easy to drive. Hopefully I will be able to get a car when I turn 17. That way i will be able to drive to school, and get breakfast. I will also be able to drive to my friends houses and I will be able to drive to the beach during the summer. Because, I love the beach.But, I definitely believe that when I turn 17 and if I pass my drivers test I should be able to get my full licence.
ReplyDeleteJames is right people work at the age of fifteen and not having a car to get to work can be a hassle. Taking the bus for a year is enough so 16 is a great year to be able to drive for 5 min. to your job location and back can be simple.
DeleteI believe in certain states where driving is legal at 16 like new jersey should be a loud because that is getting them ready for actual driving. So, if they do mess up then well they should be able to get better at it because everything takes time and practice. Honestly driving is a privilege and that can be taken very easily so sixteen year olds tend to drive more careful or try to because they do not want those privileges can be taken so easily. At the same time they tend to try and show off which is what messes them up, usually those are the people whom were never really reminded of those consequences. I think that raising the unrestricted driver limit would make no difference because once you turn eighteen and you are an adult which would mean you have no experience in driving which means more accidents, since people would not be use to using their new unrestricted rights. I think that Mr. Feiler is right in a way because if parents don't show their kids the ways of the roads their child would not be ready for the things they will need to know so knowing these things before they get their is better than being oblivious to it before it happens. I have no clue what kind of driver I will be, I think with time I will become a confident driver. Honestly I really don't know what skills I will have on the road. The best way to make teenage driving safer is maybe have parents help at home and while you are going from middle school to high school start learning it in gym like you would do for health, but not just one grade you should learn from 7th grade to 10th grade!
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about practice makes perfect. Also,I like what you said about driving being a privilege. i think that your response was good.
DeleteI agree with James and Julien that practice makes perfect and it is a privilege. If you're not worthy to drive than you shouldn't be driving
DeleteI agree with you on all of your ideas. You made some very valid points.
DeleteTeenages should definitly be able to drive at 16 or 17. People have been driving at that age since forever, and people got by then when drinking laws were less strict and cars were way more dangerous. So why would we just stop that now and make people have to wait until they are 20. Thats ridiculous, there are a ton of people that work now and the are only 15, so how would we drive to our jobs and get where we want to get. You are a legal adult when you are 18, so your saying adults should not be allowed to drive. If I wanted to when I was 18, I could get on a plane and move to california and buy an apartment by myself. And I would be completely within my rights. But I couldn't drive. That is dumb. If you fail your driver's test, then you don't get your driver's test. And that's fine, i'm not saying all 16 year old should just be given their permits, or 17 year olds should just be given their licences. But, if you earn your license then you should absolutely get it. So teenagers should definitely drive. I do not agree with mr. feiler at all. When you are 17 you are learning to become an adult and how to take care of yourself. So the last thing we need is our parents even more all over us. I can not drive yet. But, when I can I think I will be a really good driver. My sister can drive, she is pretty good at driving. Also, I have to learn to drive on a stick shift, so it will be harder for me but I have seen my mom do it for years so I think I will be good at it. But if I get to take my drivers test on an automatic I think I will do really good because automatic cars are really easy to drive.
ReplyDeleteI believe that not all teenagers are terrible at driving because not every teen gets in an accident. Practice makes perfect, you’ve gotta practice until your good at it and you have to be cautious and always looking where you’re going when you’re driving. I don’t think it makes sense to raise the age for teens to drive because there are now jobs that hire at 15 and don’t have a car to get to their job everyday which is a struggle and annoying. When you turn 17 you can drive to work and to places you need to go. I agree with Mr. Feiler that parents should get more involved when teens start driving because they need to know other people’s P.O.V and experiences. Parents should always know where their child is going even though we teenagers get annoyed but they need to know its for their safety and that their parents love them and make sure their okay. I can’t drive legally yet but i’ve driven many times for practice and i’m pretty good at driving, I just have to practice parking and that’s it really. My friend’s that drive are actually great at driving even though some of them don’t follow the certain amount of people in the car rule but it’s whatever if they don’t get caught. I’ll be more practiced by the time I turn 17 so I think i’m gonna be even better. The best way to make teenagers driver safer is to be cautious and always pay attention. Texting and driving caused nearly 3,000 teens death every year and that’s how teens get in accidents or while drinking under the influence. The best way is to don’t text and drive and don’t drink while driving.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Paige. The more pratice you get the better driver you will become. Teenagers need to know you can't drink or drive or text.
DeleteI think teenagers should definitely be allowed to drive when they are 16 or 17. I believe not all teenagers are bad drivers. Those drivers sometimes make bad choices. Teenagers should take driving seriously. I believe you need to have driver's ed and get a lot of practice with your parents. I don't think you should wait to drive til your 20. At 20 you are legally a adult where you go away to college, vote, and fight and die for your country. If I can use a weapon at 18 I should be able to drive. Also you can work at 16. How would I get work? I do agree with Mr. Feiler when he says that parents should get more involved when it comes their son's or daughter's driving. More parents should get involved. They should help practice with them and teach them. They should tell their kids about the dangers of driving. They should also tell them things not to do while driving like texting or talking on the phone.I do not drive yet but I do think I will be a good driver. My Dad works with cars so he will teach me what to do and not to do.At the end of the year I will be able to start learning. I will practice a lot so I become a good driver. I think teenagers have to take responsibility for their driving. It's just like school. You have to work hard at it. Teenagers need to know the dangers of driving. They need to know how easily you can be distracted. I think there should be a class you show what happens when you do certain things while driving like using your cell phone, speeding,drinking and other dangers. I think the more you know about driving the better.
ReplyDeleteI believe that teenagers should be allowed to drive under certain circumstances. For example, you should have a curfew for people under the age of 18. Also, you should not be able to drive out of state until you are 18. Lastly, if you get a certain amount of strikes against you until you have to get your driving rights revoked. I agree with them raising the age of full unrestricted drivers licenses under different scenarios. If the roads are always very easy to drive on and the weather is usually clear, then I don't see why they should raise the age. But if there is loads of bumps and a lot of traffic and its always precipitating, then I agree with raising the age. I do agree that parents should get more involved when their teenage son or daughter is beginning to drive for many reasons. One being, that it can be a very strong bonding experience. Second, teens might be less likely to get dumb ideas if their parents are helping them through the process. I cannot drive yet. I do not know if I am a good driver. My friends that can drive are good drivers for the most part. I think I will be a good driver in the future. Mainly because my parents are very good drivers and i feel like they would teach me well. I think there can be many ways to make teen driving safer. First, teens should be obligated to drive a heftier car, so just in case there is an accident, they are less likely to get hurt. Also, their parents should be able to see where they are going so that if anything happens to them they might be able to know where they are and help them. Lastly, there has to be a way to make sure that teens keep their seatbelts on at all times.
ReplyDeleteI believe that teenagers should be allowed to drive. I say this because driving may make them stress out but it will teach them responsibility. Driving can teach people to not be a dick on the road and speed through every light or stop light. The point of the licence is to give them a mind to think. The mind would make them pick good or bad decision. In new jersey the age for driving is a little to low. The age should be 18. Letting people drive to school and let them almost hit a student can be too dangerous. Central has a parking lot for students but they have buses block the exits at the end of the day. That can lead to an accident and the diver can speed through and not make it. The permit should not be the only part of driving a parent is involved. The license before the full should have a parent inside but not in the front. The parent can teach them a lot more things in that time then ever. Me at this time cannot drive. I don't know if i'll be a good driver i hope i will. I have friends that can drive. I have driven in the car with them and i have seen them be more responsible at that point in time than ever. I fool around a lot so if i get behind the wheel i believe that this would be kind of good. I would need to make sure i stay focus. The thing that distracts drivers most is their phone. There should be a bluetooth thing in the car that allows them to call and text but stay focus.
ReplyDeleteNicky P I agree with your statement and your take on the topic.We both agree that teenagers should be allowed to drive. Since we are almost at the age when we can drive on the road. Of course everyone that responses with that teens should be able to drive on the road. We want to drive on the road too . So I agree with everyone with there take on the topic.
DeleteI think teenagers should definitely be allowed to drive when they are 16 or 17. Not all teenagers are bad drivers some are just inexperienced and new at driving. Also yes I do think that even bad teenage driver should drive by doing this they will get experience and be good drivers when they are older. So, if they do mess up then well they should be able to get better at it because everything takes time and practice. I think they shouldn't rise the age to get your full driver's license. Because if it goes get raised then it is going to be the same if your 16 because you're still going to be inexperienced. I do not agree with mr. feiler at all. When you are 17 you are learning to become an adult and how to take care of yourself. Everyone has to learn how to drive and sure your parents can help but in the end of the day it is going to be you driving and not your parents. I can drive and I know what to do it is just that I am not old enough to. I think I will be a good driver when I am older. But then again we won't know until I drive. Some of my older friends can drive and also my brothers drive. I think the best way to make teenage driving safer is to make sure that the driver is not on their phones. I think this because there has been a lot of people that had died because they were on their phones and most of the people that had died were teenagers or young adults.
ReplyDeleteI think that they should definetely keep the age of teen driving as it is. Most teenagers can't wait to get their license so they can do their own thing without needing their parents to drive them. I just think they should make you do certain requirements to actually get your license because some people get it but don't deserve it. The only bad thing is that all teenagers are addicted to their phones and in that case a lot of them will be texting and driving which should lead to a big consequence.
ReplyDelete