YouthMoves28: Teens in Cars

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the latest edition of YouthMoves, a news-sheet that gives ‘snatches’ of youth news, info & resources relevant to busy people relating to teens.   In this issue we will look at teenage driving issues, some useful resources, the latest events and upcoming conferences.  I hope this newsletter is of interest and help to you.  If you would like to see the back issues of Youth Moves, log on to our website www.innovateonline.net .If I can assist your work with young people in any way (by offering counselling services, speaking/training or just answering a question about youth issues), please feel free to phone me on 8357 1711, or email kirriliesmout@innovateonline.net.

 

Youth in Cars

                                                                                                                                                                        

Recently, 19 year old Jarrod (name changed) told me about being “freaked out” when he is a passenger in the car with his friends, who drive fast and recklessly.  Jarrod feels he is in danger on these occasions, but also feels he can’t get out of the car without looking like a wimp, so he stays in the car.  Jarrod’s sense of being in danger is not misplaced.  Drivers between 17 and 20 are six times more likely to die on the roads than 40-49 year olds.   Of crashes involving teenage drivers, the young driver is at fault more than 80% of the time. Young drivers are responsible for 25% of all serious car accidents and 30% of car accident fatalities.  Young drivers are twice as likely as older drivers to admit to being distracted while driving (often while adjusting a stereo or on a mobile phone), and twice as likely as older

drivers to believe it is “okay to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol as long as (I) feel capable”.   In addition, 94% of young drivers say they have been subject to road rage, and 24% say they exceed the speed limit “most or all of the time”. The road is a risky place for all of us, but it is extremely so when it comes to young people.* 

 

There are a myriad of causes for young people’s increased crash risk.  These reasons include:  the kinds of cars young people tend to drive; the times of day/night at which young people drive; young people’s over-confidence about their driving ability; their higher rates of drug and alcohol use while driving; their under-estimation of their risk on the road; their lack of driving experience/skill; and finally the

social “acceptability” (especially for males) of appearing daring/confident as a driver.

 

Given the range of causes, we need to look to a range of varied solutions to reducing young people’s accident rates.  For example, I believe we need legislation ensuring safe and appropriate cars for younger drivers.  We need to educate young people about the reality of their own specific risk and accident rates on the road.  We need to fund programs which increase driver skill and training.  We need to educate young people about how to estimate risk on the road.  We need the continued presence of drug and alcohol testing police vehicles.  I also believe we should introduce legislation restricting numbers of young people in a car at any one time

 

(A recent US study found that one teen passenger with a teen driver doubles the risk of a fatal accident, while the risk is five times higher when two or more teens are passengers).   As well as these broader societal initiatives, parents also need to be protective of young drivers; for specific ideas, see the Forum column in this issue.

 

Above all, we must continue to implement and evaluate strategies to minimise risk to our young people.  Although there are no easy answers in this area, we must give it our full attention:

 

*Source of this data:  Source: Monash University Accident Research Centre, Review of literature regarding national and international young driver training, licensing and regulatory systems.

 

STATS and FACTS:‘Young Australian drivers aged 17–25 years have double the risk of all-age drivers for being involved in a fatal road accident. This is despite a 42% reduction in the fatality rate over the last 20 years.‘ Source:                  Injury Research Centre, University of Western Australia 2007

                                                                                                                                                      

Teenagers Driving

 

Dear Kirrilie,

My 16 year old son is about to get his drivers licence and some of his friends are already driving.  We are feeling very nervous!  How do we go about handling this new phase of his life?  Concerned parent.

 

I believe we need to communicate to young people that obtaining a drivers’ license or having friends’ who have a license, does not mean they can drive anywhere, anytime and with anyone.  Instead, it allows them to begin driving (or being a passenger) in specific, restricted situations. These situations will then broaden over time, as they (and friends) gain driving experience.  We need to give teenagers this message from an early age.

What are the driving situations we should allow teens to be in?  This depends on the age of the teenager, the relationship we have with them, whether it is our or their car they are driving, and who is paying for petrol!  However, guidelines that other parents have used include the following or variations:

In first 6 months of driving, teen drivers do not transport passengers other than family members, only drive in metropolitan areas, do not drive after dark unless accompanied by an adult and do not attempt to overtake vehicles unless there is an adult in the car. 

In the second 6 months of driving, there are to be no more than 2 teens in the car at one time, they do not drive after a certain time of night and must only drive to a destination (ie, no “driving around” as an activity).  Other rules include teen passengers travelling/not travelling with P platers, parents always knowing teen drivers, and also knowing the arrival time after a trip.  Whatever rules you set about how and in what situations teen drivers can drive, make sure they are written down and calmly explained more than once. 

In addition, we should be talking through driving situations with teenagers.  For example, it is useful to give a teenager a hypothetical (for example - you are in a car in which someone is driving recklessly, you are 20 minutes from home – how do you stay safe without losing face?; another example - someone is nagging you to take them home from a party but you know you are not allowed to take a second passenger, how do you handle this without looking mean) and ask them to brainstorm solutions.

Finally, reassure your teenager that if they ever feel unsafe in the car with friends, either while driving or being a passenger, they can call you to pick them up - wherever they are and whatever time it is. 

Best wishes,

Kirrilie

 

 

                            

 
 

HOT TOPIC – Teenagers, Driving and Cannabis

SleepScience has identified two major crash risk factors regarding young drivers: Fatigue and Cannabis. For an informational learning resource in this area, visit their website, http://www.sleepscience.com.au/tempsleepScience_index_files/Page511.htm .

 

moodgym – battle depression!

The Australian National University has developed an interactive online program, specifically for young adults. This program employs cognitive behavioural techniques and aims to build resilience in young adults in order to fight off depression. To get a young adult you know involved, send them to http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ .

 

COMPETITION FOR YOUTHS AGED 12-15

The Foundation for Young Australians is running a competition for young adults aged 12-15 years called For Your Eyes Only. The entrant is required to send in an image depicting the community through their eyes. They can win a much-needed grant for a local community group working with young people.For entry forms, FAQ’s and guidelines, go to http://www.youngaustralians.org/fund/ya_fund_your_eyes_only.asp  entries close 17th September.