According to the United States Department of Transportation, teen drivers are more likely to be in a fatal accident. With the new generations being of age to drive there are more car accidents within teen driving.
One of the biggest reasons this issue is occurring is because of cell phones. Cell phones are the number one distraction for anyone at any age, but especially in teens. Junior Addilyn Johnson confessed that her cell phone was the reason she was involved in an accident.
“It was my fault because I wasn’t paying attention, I swiped at a message on my phone and I guess I just veered into their car,” Johnson said.
The aftermath of a car accident can be completely different from someone else. Some accidents cause unexpected deaths, while others cause no harm at all. One glance at something other than the road can be the difference between life and death. That is why all drivers are encouraged to stay focused and engaged with the road at all times. Although that isn’t exactly the easiest thing, sophomore Gwen Hawkins said.
“I guess I just wasn’t really paying attention,” Hawkins said. “I was backing up, and another car was flying around the corner, I was scared they were going to hit me so I backed up more [and] then I hit a car behind me.”
Depending on the severity of the accident, fixing a car can be extremely pricey. Most new drivers don’t realize how much damage they can cause by simply not paying attention. With the cost of the accident, people also have to worry about insurance. In the state of Kansas, if people are in an accident as a teenager, it will increase insurance prices significantly. Which can cause multiple other issues in the long run.
“It didn’t cause too much damage to my vehicle, but it caused a lot for the person that I hit,” Hawkins said.
Another aspect that is not talked about until the event occurs is the traumatic experience this causes for young teenagers. Getting in car accidents can be very scary because some people will be in a state of shock. That awful feeling of getting in a wreck can increase significantly if someone is at fault and they know it.
“The scariest part was the moment right after you’ve stopped when you realize what just happened,” Johnson said “It’s not the best moment.”
Most would say if they are in a car wreck that was their fault, it’s pretty embarrassing because now the other person has the option to press charges against them. I Although high schoolers are still learning the rules of the road. They should still be aware of the importance of not getting distracted.
“We tend to get more distracted than other people,” sophomore Ella Ryan said. “A lot of the older people have more experience with stuff like that and have seen more of it.”
From a high schooler’s perspective, high school is about having fun and living life to its fullest. High schoolers throughout the years have all had a reputation for pushing the limits. Sometimes pushing the limits is okay to have fun as long as it doesn’t get you into too much trouble.
“We are dumb teenagers, what do you expect,” Johnson said.
