Home>Traffic Safety and Driving Courses -- Teen Drivers -- Part 4
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| Driver Alert |
 A publication by the
Auto Safety Alliance Volume 1 November 1997 Issue 1 Automobile crashes are the number one killers of teens -- accounting for more than 5,000 deaths per year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a 16-year-old driver is 42 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than a 17-year-old with just one additional year of driving experience. In addition, 16-year-old drivers were involved in 10,337 crashes per 100,000,000 vehicle miles of travel. The rate for 17-year-olds was just 3,229. These are alarming statistics when 41.8 percent of 16-year-olds hold a driver's license. Other countries and many states have enacted graduated license laws with some success. Restrictions may include six months of crash-free, conviction-free driving, zero tolerance for alcohol, no driving between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without authorization, provisional color-coded drivers' licenses, and successful completion of a driver education course. Driver-Zed program a hit The driver-ZED program developed by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) uses realistic traffic situations to help teens spot risks. This program has met an enthusiastic response, according to Christopher Johnson, a research analyst at AAAFTS. "The students who go through this program have found it to be very helpful in real time driving situations," he says. Parents can also take steps to help prevent or reduce the number of crashes involving teen drivers. Parents should:
Unfortunately, none of these suggestions totally safeguards against crashes by teen
drivers, but their practical application may prevent injury or death to teens and others. |
| IN HAWAII |
Senators consider legislation to limit teen driving at night By Lisa Asato Star-Bulletin Teen drivers may face another speed bump in the road to driving freedom if state lawmakers get their way. (...) The move comes one month after stricter driver licensing requirements for teens took effect. Prospective drivers under 18 now must undergo driver's education and must be 15 to get a learner's permit and 16 for a driver's license. This morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee was to hear testimony on Senate Bill 211, which would do two things. First, it would require drivers under 18 to be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Second, instead of simply paying a traffic fine through the mail, teens would be required to appear in court and face license suspension or revocation, and perhaps a fine. "It would certainly cut down some of the problems with kids being out really late and doing inappropriate things, but it seems a little extreme," said Marcia Akamu, parent to 14-year-old Bradley. "When I was that age I would stay out until 4 o'clock (a.m.) on a date," she said. Now it would be like "Oh, oh, 11 o'clock, gotta get you home." Teen drivers out for school-related activities or for work would be exempt, provided they carry a signed note from a parent or employer. (...) Twelve states take an even stricter approach, banning nighttime driving for all beginning drivers. South Carolina imposes the strictest hours, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to the American Automobile Association Inc. Although teen accidents occur more often from 3-6 p.m., late night crashes are more serious, often resulting in serious injury or death, said Marilyn Kali, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation. Kali also said California reduced its teen crashes and fatalities by 50 percent after imposing a nighttime restriction about three years ago. She called the chaperoned curfew "part of the process of earning the right to drive." Sgt. Robert Lung, administrator of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division, agreed. He also said police wouldn't target young drivers and would only stop them should they violate a traffic law such as speeding or running a red light. (...) Senate Bill 211 has already won approval by the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee by a vote of 5-0. DRIVING BY NUMBERS Source: State of Hawaii Data Book 1999 online at http://www.state.hi.us/dbedt/ |
| Teen Convicted in Road Rage Slaying |
Woman Was Headed to Church With Kids Oct. 21, 1999 MANASSAS, Va. (AP) -- A teenager was convicted of voluntary manslaughter instead of murder today in the beating death of a woman who had complained that the teen and her friends were blocking the road with their car. Teresa Hattie Dixon, 18, wept as the verdict was read. The jury deliberated for nearly 14 hours. Natalie Davis, 25, was killed in July while going to church with her children, ages 2 and 4, and other relatives in Dale City, outside Washington. A car was blocking the road out of their cul-de-sac, and a group of teenagers were gathered around it, talking. Davis asked the teens to move the car. Head slammed to the ground (...) Dixon and a 16-year-old girl, Kurebia Maria Hampton, jumped into another car and followed the family, police said. A fight broke out between Davis and the teenagers, and police said Davis' head was kicked and slammed into the ground. She died two days later. Hampton is awaiting trial. |
| Teen killed in "road rage" attack in Center City |
By Thomas J. Gibbons Jr. INQUIRER STAFF WRITER An 18-year-old motorist was shot to death this morning in what police say appeared to be a case of road rage in the 2000 block of Walnut Street. "The victim had an argument with the perpetrator over double parking, we believe," Sullivan said. "The perpetrator shot the victim one time in the chest. "The victim got into his auto and drove into the 2200 block of Walnut Street where he hit three parked cars before coming to rest." Sullivan said there were two passengers in the car, a woman and a boy about two years old. Neither were hurt, police said. There was no immediate word on the relationship or the passengers to the driver. The victim's auto, a brown Oldsmobile station wagon, appeared to have a bullet hole in a rear panel. The driver, who was identified by police as Kevin Holmes, was taken to the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. A short time later, a car fitting the description of the vehicle driven by the suspect was stopped by police in the 2000 of Sigel Street in South Philadelphia. A suspect was taken into custody in a home in that block and transported to the Police Homicide Division for questioning. |