RUBEN

i posting this essay so I can copy it and paste it at my school. I couldn;t email it to my school that's why.


Mrs. Plassman
English IG per. 5
20 February 2003
Teenage Driving
It is way too easy for teenagers to get their license these days. They are given their license after driving around the block and parallel parking. Taking only 1 test to get this new freedom can be dangerous and deadly. Teenagers are inexperienced and are not ready for the hazards on the roads. They have no way of testing the actual skills needed for driving. And of course these kids are going to want to show off to their friends with their driving 'skills.' But anyone who has been driving for a while knows that being a good driver takes experience. The amount of teenage deaths caused by car wrecks must decrease, so by changing the age limit to get a license from 16 to 18 will be the only way that can happen.
Teenagers can argue that they have proven they can drive in the roads by showing their drivers training and passed test. Drivers’ training alone does not effectively prepare young drivers for what‘s on the road. Taking a written test doesn’t prove you can merge safely into rush-hour freeway traffic or correctly gauge the speed of an oncoming car.
Over the years, there have been many car accidents involving teens, many resulting in death. Teenage traffic accidents are the number one cause of death among 16-20 year olds. (Fresno Bee, The.1997) In 1996, 6,300 teens died in the United States from motor vehicle crash injuries. (Fresno Bee, The. 1997). On average, a teen driver is killed every other day in California. (Fresno Bee, The. 1997). In most of those fatalities, the reason was either involving drinking or just a night out with friends.
Teens do not understand the power a vehicle has over their lives. They do not realize they could lose everything in a split second. For many it takes an accident for them to realize that. And for too many that accident is fatal. Parents need to make sure that teens know how easily they can lose their lives to a car before they allow them to drive. The problem is worst among 16 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel.
There are some characteristics that 16 year olds show that they need to wait until they are 18 for a license. “Night driving: This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the nighttime fatal crash rate for 16 year-olds is about twice as high as during the day. Driver error: Compared with crashes of older drivers, those of 16 year-olds more often involve driver error. Speeding: 16 year-olds drivers have a higher rate of crashes in which excessive speed is a factor. Single-vehicle crashes: More of 16 year-olds fatal crashes involve only the teen’s vehicle. Typically these are high-speed crashes in which the driver lost control. Passengers: 16 year-olds’ fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger.” (USA TODAY, 2003 for all 5 characteristics). These factors show how teenagers are immature and inexperienced.
The change from 16 to 18 overall will decrease wrecks and fatalities. Parents won’t have to worry about where their teens are and teens will improve on their academic work. This change has to happen if we want to have more teens alive. “How many more teens have to die before we face the facts?” (Lisa Tilbury-Matthews)

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