Teen drivers get undeserved reputation

The Saratoga High parking lot is home to two kinds of drivers: the “seasoned” parent driver and the “infamous” teen driver. But is there really a huge difference between the two?

Due to their lack of experience, young drivers often get a reputation for driving recklessly. This view isn't unfounded, but it is distorted.

As a group, teens are statistically riskier drivers; however, it is unfair to view all teens as bad drivers. 

All students must go through a driver’s education class within a short period before taking their driving test. With students having gone through driving education in the recent past, most are up to date with the current rules and regulations of the road and are able to apply the rules effectively. 

In fact, although teens are believed to be bad parkers, speed demons and rule-breakers, what we see tells us they are not the worst drivers out there. For example, many parents in the parking lots ignore rules more than teen drivers. Some parents park in spaces designated for students, causing many teen drivers to be late for classes. 

Other drivers overlook traffic cones, painted arrows and parking lot supervisors to drop off kids in the middle of the road, or speed through a school zone at 40 miles per hour. On multiple occasions, parents have driven facing oncoming traffic in the parking lot. 

For their part, most students should and can be trusted to make responsible decisions while driving carefully. 

Because of the perception of teens as "bad drivers," insurance rates are higher, police are more watchful and everyone is critical. It’s unfair that even excellent teen drivers should have to suffer from the stereotypes that other reckless teen drivers created.

Even the normally tightfisted insurance companies have found a correlation between a good education and a lower risk of car accidents. Insurance companies charge families a little bit less for coverage of teen drivers if the teen driver has a high GPA. Since most students here hold high GPAs and are serious about education, they are more responsible drivers. They are careful about details and less likely to drive dangerously. 

Teen drivers are still statistically the riskiest drivers, but this damaging stereotype is proving less true every year. Although automobile accidents are still the leading cause of death for teens, the number has dramatically decreased in recent years. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the number of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes declined by 65 percent from 1975 until 2012. 

Meanwhile, the country’s view of teen drivers has only gotten worse. From what we see and the statistics say, the image of terrible teen drivers is outdated and should be consigned to the waste bin.