The Colt Quarterly
Teen driving gone wrongWednesday, March 07, 2007 By Morgan Hidalgo
Accidents are, well, accidents. They can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Recently, a greater amount of teenagers are taking risks on the road, including intoxicated driving, going above the designated speed limit, and not making the smart decision of buckling up. This brings the number of car accidents committed by teenagers under the age of 20 to an all-time high. Car accidents are the leading cause of teenage death in the United States, and teenagers, just like you, are making small mistakes on the roads which may eventually cost them their lives. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Driving is a privilege, not a right?” Young people are abusing the fact that they are being allowed to drive at the age of fifteen and a half. With teens recently neglecting their responsibilities to be safe, many new laws have been passed. Along with the law that states that teens may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., they are also not allowed to drive anyone under the age of 20 until they have had their license for at least a year. Despite the fact that these are solid laws, many ignore them and have to suffer severe consequences, such as expensive tickets and having their licenses revoked. Some teenagers make the mistake of driving under the influence. This mistake makes the roads unsafe for other drivers as well as innocent bystanders. “People think nothing’s going to happen to them, but they don’t understand that it can happen to anyone. One stupid decision can affect everyone,” junior Angel Goodman says. Most adolescents are more concerned with getting to a destination on time, rather than going the speed limit, and making sure that they and the people surrounding them are safe. According to statistics, every nine seconds a teenager is involved in an accident because of unsafe driving practices. Being careful and in control are two main factors while driving. Whether you are under the influence, driving unsafely or not, you need to be conscious of what you do because you may risk your life and others as well. “Losing my sister in a car accident four years ago was hard to swallow. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I’ve went through,” junior Meg Miranda said. Driving is a privilege that you are given with the hopes that you will be mature and safe. Every time you make a mistake, someone’s life rests in your hands. Teenagers need to consider how fast a life can be taken away every single time they get into their car and start their engine. |