by Julius Tali

Created on: February 01, 2008

Dear Reader,

I can still remember how my hands trembled at the steering wheel the first time I drove a vehicle. This happened a long time ago back in 1988 when my dad allowed me to drive his vehicle. I had only turned 16 and practicing to get my first drivers license. Furthermore, it was with his blessing that I did 60 to 100 kays on his massive Toyota 4WD by driving along the dusty Madang highway, after we had finished washing the light truck at the nearby river an hour away from town. From this early experience I learned that driving a vehicle could always be both an exciting as well as a dangerous experience; let alone driving a big heavy 4WD vehicle.

The issue with severe road accidents caused by teenage drivers is known to be a problem all over the world. Furthermore, most teen car accidents involve drink driving and more recently; driving under the influence of both illegal and legal drugs. However,these and other related problems with teens being intoxicated before driving is preventable by traffic law and a bit of sheer common sense.

Firstly, teen car accidents could be prevented by traffic law, which means young folks who want to drive must discouraged to drive intoxicated with harmful substances and liquids. Hence, teens are to be monitored and approved by Government Police Traffic Law and strict regulations before driving any form of motor vehicle. By going through rigorous driving skills tests. Furthermore, those who are interested in driving must be able to pass all driving tests and given a license to drive a certain motor vehicle. Hence, be only allowed a certain class of vehicle. For example, it is a must that John who has passed all driving tests and given an early license of Class One (1)Drivers License could be only permitted to drive a class one vehicle and not any other class of vehicle, which could be more bigger and complicated - involving more driving experience and skills.

Secondly, common sense is highly regarded at all times when driving. That leads to the fact that teenagers; after already obtaining a Driver License, lack experience in their common sense. Which is an important driving tool that prevails in any driving encounter throughout the entire course of journey. Moreover, it could be hard to measure the level of their basic level of understanding the reality of finding themselves crashing a car into people. Hence, it could be easier for them to gather knowledge and understanding when they try avoiding bad driving conditions and unsafe road practices on a daily basis. Which could point to people who support teens in their driving encounters to provide proper advice. For example, Mary who has only received her first license to drive couldn't be asked to drive a ten tonne fuel delivery truck across miles of icy wet roads. Because, that would be suicide. In other words, Mary could be more experienced and mature in her later years and upon demand be requested to operate on other types of vehicle.

It may be claimed that teen-aged drivers are more careful than older drivers because they are young and more active. However, the mere fact of the matter is that some teens lack driving experience and should provided more chances to practice by attending driving classes; before fit to receive a full Drivers License to operate a registered motor vehicle on any public road.

To conclude, driving could be a wonderful and rewarding experience for the young teenager. Hence, public roads could be more safer with more experienced teen drivers which could result in less fatal road accidents.

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