Unless a person is a surgeon or astronaut, there is nothing we deal with each day which is more complex than driving. Most people don’t realize the complexity, focus and forethought required to control a motor vehicle on the road. It is estimated by some experts that drivers require 1500 skills to control a four wheel vehicle and 2200 skills to control a motorcycle. On average, it takes a new driver 2 years to learn most of the driving skills he or she will use the the rest of their lives. What is known is that inexperience and immaturity are the 2 most common factors that contribute to vehicle crashes for 16 to 19 year old drivers.
Most drivers never again practice their critical driving skills after the first time they are issued a drivers license. If physicians, lawyers, psychologist and law enforcement require continuing education each year. Doesn’t make sense that the most complex demand most people face each day is driving, shouldn’t continuing driver education be required when a person renews their driver’s license instead of waiting until they are issued a citation for a moving violation.
A published article authored by Anne T McCartt in Accident Analysis and Prevention concluded that for teen drivers, the fewer parental restrictions placed upon them and a lower grade point average (GPA) the higher their crash risk. Male gender, a lower GPA and living in a rural area were associated with a higher citation rate.”
If a teen cannot be responsible for his or her home work, room, chores and so forth, they are certainly not ready to control 3500 lbs of metal, glass and gas at 35 or 65 mph. A Driver’s License is a teen’s first asphalt hard steps into adulthood. Teens are not automatically entitled to drive simply because they turn 16. Teens should earn the privilege to possess a Driver’s License.
Recent research published by Diane Parker in Accident Analysis and Prevention reported a strong relationship between the risk of traffic crashes and the tendency by a specific group of drivers to commit traffic violations as well as a high inclination to exceed the posted speed limits. They consistently lacked effective reasoning skills required in real time decision making.