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Learning to drive
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2004;34:1
EDITORIAL
Learning to Drive
Accidents are the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among adolescents. Among these, automotive accidents figure prominently. In 2002, 8278 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes [1]. This figure represented an increase of 141 over the previous year. In fact, the death rate for motor vehicle–related injuries is now little different from that for older teens in l950 [2]. The situation is quite different for toddlers, however. The death rate for 1– 4-year-olds for injuries suffered as the result of motor vehicle injuries has steadily fallen since 1950 and is now at a historic low of 4.1 per 100,000. Clearly, the efforts of organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) resulting in state laws requiring car safety seats and, more recently, rear-facing child restraints, are responsible for this accomplishment. NHTSA first began regulating child safety seats in l971 and within a decade advocated rear-facing restraint [3]. Contrasting these statistics prompted me to consider whether there may be any untoward effects of these newer regulations down the road. In reflecting on my own experiences as a student driver and a parent, I realize the power of the informal “driver ed” that takes place in the passenger seat. I ask you to reflect on how you learned to drive. Yes, there were “driver education” classes in school (actually before my time!). But how did you really learn to be a good driver? Wasn’t it really by sitting in the front seat next to your father or mother who, as they drove, gave you a running commentary on the passing scene? “That guy didn’t signal before he changed lanes”; “the red Mustang is coming up too fast behind the VW next to me— he is going to have to come into my lane”; “Oh, the traffic climbing up the hill is so slow, surely some idiot is going to pass in my lane”; etc. My sons were surely aware of impending danger, learned to anticipate problems and to drive defensively before they were old enough to think about a driving license. © Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2004 Published by Elsevier Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Has the practice of placing youngsters in the back seat changed that informal, but important, educational experience? It’s hard to know. The laws will not change, especially since crash tests have clearly demonstrated a reduction in injuries/death when this practice is followed. Are there substitutes for the beneficial experience of sitting up front in the passenger seat? Interestingly, in a recent issue of USA Today, an article about rear seat safety [3] was placed adjacent to one about a new video game designed to teach driving skills to teens [4]. The former quotes statistics showing a 70% reduction in infant fatalities and a 54% efficacy rate for prevention of toddler fatalities owing to use of child safety seats. It recommended keeping children “in the back seat as long as possible—and at least until they are 12” [3]. The companion article described a new video teen driver program called Road Ready Teens [5]. The video game, called Streetwise, is designed to be accessed online. It has six levels of difficulty and is designed to emphasize safety by teaching teen drivers to stay focused and how to anticipate common distractions. The sponsor of the program is DaimlerChrysler who hopes to capitalize on the popularity of online video games among today’s teenagers. Are they suggesting that parents can be replaced by technology? Only time will tell! Iris F. Litt, M.D. Editor-in-Chief
References 1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Accessed October 29, 2003. 2. National Center for Health Statistics. Available at: www.nchs. gov. Accessed October 29, 2003. 3. O’Donnell J. Side crashes put kids at risk despite car seats, panel warns. USA Today. September 30, 2003:5B. 4. Eldridge E. Carmaker program to help teens drive safer. USA Today. September 30, 2003:p.5B. 5. Road Ready Teens. Available at: www.roadreadyteens.org. Accessed October 27, 2003. 1054-139X/04/$–see front matter doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.11.092
EDITORIAL
Learning to Drive
Accidents are the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among adolescents. Among these, automotive accidents figure prominently. In 2002, 8278 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes [1]. This figure represented an increase of 141 over the previous year. In fact, the death rate for motor vehicle–related injuries is now little different from that for older teens in l950 [2]. The situation is quite different for toddlers, however. The death rate for 1– 4-year-olds for injuries suffered as the result of motor vehicle injuries has steadily fallen since 1950 and is now at a historic low of 4.1 per 100,000. Clearly, the efforts of organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) resulting in state laws requiring car safety seats and, more recently, rear-facing child restraints, are responsible for this accomplishment. NHTSA first began regulating child safety seats in l971 and within a decade advocated rear-facing restraint [3]. Contrasting these statistics prompted me to consider whether there may be any untoward effects of these newer regulations down the road. In reflecting on my own experiences as a student driver and a parent, I realize the power of the informal “driver ed” that takes place in the passenger seat. I ask you to reflect on how you learned to drive. Yes, there were “driver education” classes in school (actually before my time!). But how did you really learn to be a good driver? Wasn’t it really by sitting in the front seat next to your father or mother who, as they drove, gave you a running commentary on the passing scene? “That guy didn’t signal before he changed lanes”; “the red Mustang is coming up too fast behind the VW next to me— he is going to have to come into my lane”; “Oh, the traffic climbing up the hill is so slow, surely some idiot is going to pass in my lane”; etc. My sons were surely aware of impending danger, learned to anticipate problems and to drive defensively before they were old enough to think about a driving license. © Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2004 Published by Elsevier Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Has the practice of placing youngsters in the back seat changed that informal, but important, educational experience? It’s hard to know. The laws will not change, especially since crash tests have clearly demonstrated a reduction in injuries/death when this practice is followed. Are there substitutes for the beneficial experience of sitting up front in the passenger seat? Interestingly, in a recent issue of USA Today, an article about rear seat safety [3] was placed adjacent to one about a new video game designed to teach driving skills to teens [4]. The former quotes statistics showing a 70% reduction in infant fatalities and a 54% efficacy rate for prevention of toddler fatalities owing to use of child safety seats. It recommended keeping children “in the back seat as long as possible—and at least until they are 12” [3]. The companion article described a new video teen driver program called Road Ready Teens [5]. The video game, called Streetwise, is designed to be accessed online. It has six levels of difficulty and is designed to emphasize safety by teaching teen drivers to stay focused and how to anticipate common distractions. The sponsor of the program is DaimlerChrysler who hopes to capitalize on the popularity of online video games among today’s teenagers. Are they suggesting that parents can be replaced by technology? Only time will tell! Iris F. Litt, M.D. Editor-in-Chief
References 1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Accessed October 29, 2003. 2. National Center for Health Statistics. Available at: www.nchs. gov. Accessed October 29, 2003. 3. O’Donnell J. Side crashes put kids at risk despite car seats, panel warns. USA Today. September 30, 2003:5B. 4. Eldridge E. Carmaker program to help teens drive safer. USA Today. September 30, 2003:p.5B. 5. Road Ready Teens. Available at: www.roadreadyteens.org. Accessed October 27, 2003. 1054-139X/04/$–see front matter doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.11.092