How many times have you heard the words “Rash driving” and how many times have you associated it with a youngster? The chances are quite a few times. Owning or driving either a two or a four wheeler is one of the most triumphant moments in a teenager’s life. And often one of the most dangerous too. For, it is at this age that most teenagers exposed to the thrills of speeding meet with sometimes lethal accidents.
Most Indian roads are not exactly vehicle friendly. Apart from badly paved roads, there is also bad traffic sense–a potential accident which is just waiting to happen. Says PSI Sagwekar of the Wanowrie police chowky, “There are a lot of young people driving on the city’s roads. And parents too do not really enforce the proper age limit on when to drive. Also, youngsters love the thrill of speed and this and rash driving can result in some really bad accidents”. Sagwekar should know. In the course of his career, he has seen many fatal accidents attributed to causes like these. More often, they involve teenagers.
How to reduce road accidents involving teenage drivers?
Obtaining a driver’s license is one of the most triumphant events in a teenager’s life. It’s also a day most parents should dread, because teenagers are the most unsafe drivers on the road, a threat to themselves and others. Seventeen and eighteen year olds represent only a small per cent of all drivers, but they are involved in a lot of crashes.
The problem lies not at the driver's end but with teenagers, who tend to be impulsive and fearless. They are much more apt to speed, tailgate, shun seat belts, and show off. Indeed, about 44 percent of teen accidents are single–car crashes, such as smashing into a tree, which basically indicates foolish driving. A direct approach to the problem would be to raise the age at which teens can get their licenses. Beginning drivers who are over age 21 have fewer crashes and other problems than do beginners in their teens. In fact, many countries don't license drivers under 18.
