Nowadays a widespread discussion about the problem of young drivers has taken place among Australian public. Concerning the disproportionately high number of young casualties and the continuous road accidents involving teenagers, police, parents, experts, young people, and other public express their opinions about how to tackle this severe problem. Some of them claim that laws and restrictions should be reinforced as they are the most effective way, while others argue that more resources should be committed into education.
Undoubtedly, we should try any possible method that might help reduce the death and injuries of young drivers. But after all, laws and restrictions are the most fundamental solution. The characteristics of young drivers require corresponding laws and restrictions. According to a senior research fellow of Monash University, some young people are physically immature because the human brain may not be completely mature until 30 (Reid, 2010). Therefore immature young drivers are more likely to make imprudent judgments and ignore the possible consequences when fueled by emotions and impulse.
In addition, an expert from The George Institute for International Health points out that teenager drivers are more prone to be distracted from safe driving by mobile phones (Ivers, 2009). Regarding the immaturity and dangerous habits of young drivers, certain laws and restrictions are essential. A night passenger restriction prescribes that young drivers among 17 to 24 can only have one peer passenger in their cars when they hang out at night (Ivers, 2009), which may guarantee a safer driving. Besides, laws and restrictions are necessary to deal with the external factors which trigger dangerous driving.
Like adults, adolescents seek for social acceptance as well. In some particular circles, dangerous driving is deemed an honorable feat. What’s more, Australian’s drinking culture also contributes to the high rate of fatal accidents among teenagers. Therefore, we urgently need legislations focusing on these external factors. The Graduated Licensing System , which was introduced in 2007, restricts blood – alcohol level to 0 for P – Platers (Ricci, 2010). And Anti – Hoon Legislation implemented in 2006 authorizes police to confiscate cars for dangerous driving, such as “ burn – out” , “doughnut”,etc (Ricci, 2010).
Such restrictions and legislations are no more than proper measures to the negative influence of social circles and drinking cultures. Furthermore, present laws and restrictions have been proved effective either in Australia or overseas. Victoria Police states that the rate of recidivisms is rather low, that is, young drivers are less likely to reoffend traffic regulations once arrested (Lay, 2009). Oversea programs also support the success of laws as crashes decline by 10 to 30 percent in U. S where night-time restrictions are also introduced (Palamara, 2009).
Now that current laws already have an impact on reducing dangerous driving, why don’t we invest more resources into legislations? However, some opponents resist that education is a better way to solve the problem of young drivers. There is no denying the fact that education gives guidance for teenagers to form correct attitude ( Morphett, 2010). But even though young drivers realize the destructive consequences that might occur when they do not drive in a safe manner, they still behave dangerously when motivated by excitement. For that reason, education is not enough. We should listen to the voice of parents and young people.
A mother of victim appealed to the public for restrictions on cars ( Bebbington, 2009). And a 25 year –old driver, also emphasized more strict laws (Martin, 2010). We must admit that laws and restrictions are the most important. In conclusion, we need laws and restrictions on young drivers due to the internal and external factors that might result in dangerous driving. And current laws already show their great effectiveness, which encourages us to concentrate our resources into legislations. We believe that we can grapple with the problem of young drivers as we stick to our laws and restrictions.
