Written by Alexis Steagall, Editor in Chief
In 2016, only 26.3 percent of 16-year-olds had a valid driver’s license, decreasing from about 48 percent in 1984, according to The Atlantic.
So why the drop in enthusiasm in teen driving?
Many factors play a part in the staggering statistics, including cost, accident trauma, environmental impact, and general lack of interest.
Some Kenosha teenagers refrain from putting themselves behind the wheel until after the age of 18. At Indian Trail High School & Academy, several students hold strong opinions in regards to driving.
“I don’t want to drive because cars are very heavy vehicles that can easily kill a person if they make even a simple mistake,” says Payton Umscheid, a General Studies senior.
In the U.S., teens are considered a greater risk on the road. Teens are three times more likely than older adults to be involved in a fatal car crash, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As with any skill, it takes time to gain experience. If any person has not had the right amount of training or just experience in general, they are more likely to make decisions leading to accidents.
Accident trauma, no matter when it occured in life, can make it harder for drivers to feel comfortable behind the wheel. In Wisconsin, weather often plays a role in the increasing amount of accidents. With freezing rain, snow, and ice, winters can become a daunting barrier for new drivers.
Parents, teachers, and students have uneasy feelings when it comes to maneuvering their way through Indian Trail’s parking lot during the school season, especially in the winter.
“I think anyone who drives to school can agree that our student parking lot is not a safe place to drive. There are not enough entrances or exits, so traffic gets really backed up,” says Kylee Kappers, a General Studies senior who has had her driver’s license since she was 16 years old. “I did have one person who nearly rammed into my car because they cut me off to leave the parking lot. I see situations like this on a daily basis.”
Besides the potential danger, the lack of interest in driver’s education appears to be a drawback. KUSD does not offer in-school drivers ed, so accessing this class can become a financial barrier for some students. Kenosha’s local Just Drive costs $375, and includes 30 hours of classroom time and six hours behind the wheel.
In 2016, 221 million U.S. citizens had their driver license. Of those, about 12 million or 5 percent were teens, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Although some teens are apprehensive about driving, many still get their license. In fact, the downward trend in teen licensing has shown signs of stabilizing over the past couple years, more recent data shows.
“If they can’t wait to drive, then they should go for it, but if they feel apprehensive or scared, then there’s nothing wrong with waiting and doing things at their pace. It’s an individual’s choice on when to get their license above all,” says Umscheid.