By Dominique Martin '12
High school is a time full of milestones. One of the biggest events during this time is obtaining a driver’s license.
For some students, though, the joy of having a licence is quickly tempered with the realities of driving. Bonnie Deal, a senior at THS, was in an accident two months after receiving her licence.
“It was really scary! There was backed up traffic on the main road to school, and right when I stopped my car, I felt something slam into the back of it. Of course, when I realized I was in an accident, I immediately started crying.”
Luckily for Deal, there was a police man a few cars behind her who helped her out and calmed her down. “The guy who hit me was not paying attention to the road or traffic because he was on his phone and both our cars were damaged.”
Now Deal knows the consequences of what can happen when a person gets distracted while driving. “I would never want to go through anything like that ever again. I keep my phone in the back seat and wait till I get to my destination to use it. If I ever hit someone else I would feel awful forever.”
In the state of Connecticut, teens can first get their learners permit at the age of 16. Then after enough time behind the wheel, training, and practice, a teen acquires his or her license, something most adolescents look forward to.
“Federal traffic safety data indicate that crashes involving teenage drivers are the number 1 killer of teenagers in the U.S. Overall, more than 81,000 people died in crashes involving drivers ages 15 to 20 from 2000 to 2009,” states M. Alex Johnson from msnbc.com.
Different laws exist for drivers with a permit and those with a license. When a teen driver gets their learners permit in the state of Connecticut, they can only have a parent, legal guardian, or qualified trainer with them while driving. All passengers must also wear seat belts, and drivers cannot use cell phones or other electronics.
To get their license, a driver must undergo 30 hours of classroom instruction, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and two hours of parent training. In addition, a teen must have forty hours of driving, with eight of those hours with a licensed driving instructor.
Another alternative is home training, which includes 22 hours of classroom type training, and an eight hour Safe Driving Practices course at commercial or secondary school where they have to take a two hour parent or legal guardian training. A driver who takes the commercial or school driving course can attain their license in four months or after six months if they do the home training.
For the first six months after attaining a license, drivers can only drive alone or with a parent or legal guardian who has a valid license, a licensed driving instructor, or a passenger who is at least 20-years-old and has held a license without suspension for at least four years.
For the second six months, teen drivers may drive with the above mentioned or with any immediate family members. There is also a curfew for all drivers under 18. They may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless it is for employment, school, religious activities, or medical necessity. Although driving restrictions for teenager at the permit and license level may be perceived as inconvenient, they help keep young drivers safe.
“I think that the curfew is unnecessary for some students. I baby sat and it is inconvenient because I often have to drive after 11. I am always worried about being pulled over even though it is for work. The majority of drivers are punished for the actions of a few, and I feel that some of the laws are too harsh,” states Catherine Gingras, a THS senior.
While some students might find the laws inconvenient, data shows how valuable they are. Sixteen-year-olds are three times more likely to get in a fatal driving accident than adult drivers.
Teens have less experience and are prone to getting preoccupied. “I think that passenger restrictions cut down on distractions and that a curfew also protects teens from making bad decisions. Overall they keep teen drivers safe,” states Mrs. McFarland, an English teacher at Trumbull high.
Driving is a big step for teens. It means a lot of freedom, but some drivers abuse this. The driving laws help ensure that less accidents happen and enforce positive decision making. They save lives.
When teens know that there are consequences for irresponsible actions, they will be safer when driving. “Teen driving laws are beneficial and prevent a significant number of driving accidents. However, I also think that they are strict,” says Sarina Moghadam, a driver and THS senior.
Students need to stay informed. Keep the Drive at http://www.allstatefoundation.org/keep-the-drive is a national website sponsored by Allstate and supported by adolescents who want to educate other teens about safe driving habits. Students can find tools and resources as well as an open forum for opinions and ideas.
Driving is a rite of passage; it means freedom and maturity. Driving laws play a major role in the lives of teens and teens need to recognize that the regulations keep them safe, ensuring many years of safe driving to come.
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