Speeding: Taking It Easy On The Road Will Save Lives

By Douglas Haddad, Ph.D.

Spring 2008

Young drivers are one of the most vulnerable groups of drivers on the road.  Teen drivers have the highest fatal crash risk of any age group.  Being behind the wheel takes on a whole new meaning of responsibility that must be taken seriously.  Reality speaks, “Although drivers aged 17-25 represent just 16% of the current road users, they make up over a third of all speeding fatalities.”  With that being said, other drivers on the road… BEWARE!  Being the victim of someone else’s reckless driving may spell more of a disaster than for the person causing the accident.  

According to the National Transportation Safety Board statistics:

• Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds.

• The risk of a crash involving a teenage driver increases with each additional teen passenger in the vehicle.

• Young drivers do only 20% of their driving at night, but over half the crash fatalities of adolescent drivers occur during nighttime hours.

Statistics provided by www.about.com About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.

*Some risk factors associated with speed-related crashes:

·        INEXPERIENCE BEHIND THE WHEEL

-It takes time and experience to acquire the necessary skills and judgment to become a proficient driver.  A young driver’s ability to handle a variety of situations lies in the matter of this much needed experience.   Couple this fact with having another passenger in the car and talking on the phone and the hazardousness of the situation greatly increases.  Each year driving makes a big difference on the road to gain more experience and cognitive maturation.   

·        TALKING & TEXTING ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING

-Even though cell phone use while driving has been banned in many states in the U.S., teens are still on the phone talking/texting and often times with another passenger not paying attention to the road. According to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, drivers talking/texting on cell phones are twice as likely as other drivers not talking/texting on the phone involved in crashes to have rear-end collisions. 

·        DRIVING AT NIGHTTIME

-Between 9 P.M. and 6 A.M. is when teen drivers are at three times a greater risk for getting in a fatal crash compared to drivers 20 years old and over.  Driving into unknown and more dangerous regions late at night is common for many teens. Difficulty seeing the roads, staying alert and reacting to unforeseen obstacles are major factors contributing to fatal crashes during the nighttime.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that males are 5 times more likely than females to be involved in drowsy driving crashes and that individuals under 30 account for one-quarter of all licensed drivers.  Two-thirds of these crashes are reported from drivers under 30 years old. 

How can the message to “Take it easy on the road” be addressed and monitored effectively? 

*Advice for adults to help youth curb the need for speed and keep it slow:

·        Educate a young driver on the above risks mentioned.  When they clearly understand the consequences that could take place in each situation, the percentage substantially drops for risk of a speed-related crash.

·        As always, be a role model driver for a young driver.  Understand that a child is aware of how you drive and all of your habits.  Set positive examples by abiding by the laws of the road.  These consistent actions will help develop and ingrain safe driving skills and habits.  Taking a teenager out to drive will help them pay attention to detail and practice the proper habits of the road.  Driver education classes may not be adequate enough to develop the habits necessary for the road.   Additionally, it can be an opportunity to reinforce the dangers of risky driving.

·        Monitor a child’s dealings with her/his friends and the people that they are riding with in vehicles.  Being aware of these details will increase the likelihood that a child will make good decisions with whom they choose to ride with.

·        Set a child up for success by providing them with a car that is safe.  Emphasize that driving is a privilege and that a car is a vehicle used for transportation and that other drivers on the road depend on them to make responsible decisions.  Point out that what a child is receiving from you is something that needs to be attended to with great care.

*A complete list of risk factors and advice to help curb speeding are discussed in detail in my upcoming book that will be released next year.