Driving Restrictions for Minors Unnecessary
Many adolescents would agree that one of the highlights of high school is the opportunity to get a driving license. A license opens up many doors to teenagers — suddenly boundless social opportunities are available and teens are one step closer to being completely free from the influence of their parents. As a licensed driver myself, I can’t really believe that I made it so long without my own set of wheels. After the exhaustive process of getting a permit and then learning to drive under the meddling eyes of a parent, all that any teenager wants is complete freedom once they finally get their license. But it’s not all fun and games quite yet. Once a passing grade is given on a driving test, the DMV reiterates the laws that restrict new drivers, just to ensure that there is no confusion. For the first twelve months or until the driver is eighteen, they are not allowed to drive between 11 PM and 5 AM or transport passengers under the age of twenty. These restrictions are put in place to prevent teen accidents, which comprise the highest percentage of car accidents. On one hand, these restrictions make sense, but they don’t truly accomplish what they claim to be in place for.
The restrictions placed on new drivers are meant to help them get accustomed to driving. Obviously, new drivers are less experienced and should be treated with caution, but do they really need a full year to get used to driving? If they practiced according to the rules in the DMV handbook, six months should have been quite enough time to get used to the behind the wheel experience. If someone is capable of passing a driving test, they evidently have the ability to handle a car and will only become more comfortable driving as time passes. Instead of waiting a full year, the restrictions could be lowered to a few months. After all, the thrill of having a license wears off after a few weeks for most new drivers.
Placing restrictions on new drivers so they can “get more practice” is also ridiculous. According to the DMV handbook teens can drive minors under four conditions, all of which require a signed note detailing the reason why there is imperative need to drive another minor. This includes driving someone for a medical reason, work or school related activity and in order to drive immediate family; the note must be signed by both a physician and the teen’s legal guardians. Because teens can’t drive siblings or their carpools without a lengthy note explaining why, they lose time that could be spent practicing. If they were able to drive siblings and carpools with more ease they would drive more often and more consistently and therefore receive the practice that they might need. Practicing without people in a car is also not practical or helpful for future driving. Cars are meant to transport passengers, and if teens are accustomed to driving by themselves, how would they ever how would they ever drive others with ease?
Granted, friends can be distracting, but they can also be helpful. There are many occasions when a friend will notice something that is happening that the driver may not notice and actually be of assistance to the driver. New drivers also may not be competent navigators. Attempting to navigate while driving alone is far more dangerous than relying on a friend to help navigate. Bringing a friend along can help ensure that teens are focusing on the road instead of focusing on a map.
The least that lawmakers can do is be more lax on driving other people for carpools or family reasons. Parents often need help with picking up and dropping off siblings, and once teens get their licenses they often inherit carpool responsibilities. Teens are not in a position to deny the requests of a parent, especially when it comes to driving. They should not be forced to be in a position between their parents and the law.
Clearly there is doubt in the abilities of teen drivers. If someone is capable of passing a driving test in the first place, they should be perfectly capable of driving in a real life situation also. Instead of placing restrictions on teen drivers after they receive their hard-earned license, it might be wiser to make it a little more difficult to obtain a license in the first place. Maybe teens should hold their permit for a year if lawmakers are so bent upon ensuring that they receive adequate practice. That way they can practice developing good driving practices under the supervision of a parent. Driving at any stage prevents somewhat of a risk, but if teens are taught the proper driving practice at an early age and then allowed to become independent once they have proven that they can indeed handle a car, we will see fewer teens breaking the law.
Comments
Driving Restrictions for Teens
Because you have mastered the basic skills to handle a vehicle on a scripted route, does not mean you really know how to drive or react to traffic situations - especially those you haven't even begun to encounter. I've raised teenagers and driven down the street next to a car full of them on many occasions. Truth is a year may not be long enough for some, too long for others and a third group should not be licensed until adulthood at all. Since they can't "discriminate" against anyone in particular, regardless of how deserving, unless they break certain vehicle codes, they have to find a happy medium that is neither too strict nor too lenient. Remember these restrictions are in place to save lives and statistics bear out that they do. So, get with the program and quit your whining. That will show far more maturity and reason than this article would indicate you possess.
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