According to a study released last week by Allstate Insurance Co., the top 10 cities with the highest teen driving death rates were Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla.; Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Birmingham, Ala.; Phoenix; Kansas City; Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; and Louisville, Ky.
That’s right, Tampa/St. Pete is number 1, with two other Florida metro area right behind.
In an editorial this morning, the Tampa Tribune says More Must Be Done To Prevent Teen Deaths Behind The Wheel:
Speeding was a factor in 27 percent of the fatal crashes involving teens in the Bay area, the report shows. Alcohol was a factor in 7 percent, while drug use was cited in 4 percent.
The biggest common denominator was the lack of seat belt use – cited in nearly 41 percent of fatal crashes. This is somewhat surprising, considering the state’s emphasis on seat belt safety, including the “Click It or Ticket” enforcement program and a three-year-old law mandating that drivers and occupants under 18 buckle up.
Officers have the power to stop a vehicle when occupants and drivers under 18 aren’t wearing seat belts – and for safety’s sake, they should do so. Perhaps enforcement will motivate young people to strap themselves in.
So they want cops to do more to help. But that’s not all.
Driver’s education requirements also need to be reevaluated. As it stands, a 15-year-old can obtain a learner’s permit and start driving under supervision – without ever taking a course that provides behind-the-wheel training. All a teenager must do is complete an online course, have proper identification and obtain a parent’s written consent.
…Some Bay area lawmakers, including state Sen. Victor Crist of Tampa, worked to make driver’s education courses – taught by professionals – mandatory this past legislative session, but were unsuccessful.
…Requiring teens to take full-fledged driver’s education programs could save lives. It’s that simple.
So they want schools to do more, too.
But what of the mothers and fathers of these teens? Do they have a role in driving lessons? Nope – they get a free pass so they can keep an eye on American Idol.
Counting on parents to teach their teens to drive, as state law encourages, may not be the best approach…
If a child dies behind the wheel, his or her parents are the ones who suffer most. You could say they have a vested interest in their teen’s driving habits, and should do all they can to show those kids the way.
Victor Crist and the Tribune want to give parents another place to point fingers, and another reason to be less interested in their children’s lives. This sort of thinking makes me wonder if they feel parents should bother with anything beyond conception.
Patricia
1 year ago
Since we were talking about transportation yesterday, I have to chime in on this one.
First, if we had better mass transit, we might have fewer teen drivers on the road.
Second, I agree that some real driving experience should be required for underage drivers. Rather than pile more on to the public school system, simply make that one available option, including as a summer school offering. Reasonably priced drivers education courses offered by licensed private firms or even community colleges could be an alternative.
Finally, yes, the parents must shoulder responsibility for the driving habits of their children. That’s why I’ll be in no hurry to put my children on the road when they become eligible.
Clyde
1 year ago
Tommy, Your two following posts about driving in the Tampa Bay area may be the answer to this one. It appears to me that parents are teaching their children (either specifically or by example) to be just like them. I’ve lived in many states and I’ve never encountered the level of contempt for traffic laws we have here.