Crash and Burn

What kills more than 5,500 teenagers each year? Suicide? Homicide? Cancer? If you answered yes to any, you are flat out wrong. Each year, thousands of innocent teenagers are killed while at the wheel of a motor vehicle. According to http://www.allstate.com/  Risk of car crashes for teens are the highest at age 16, and 40 percent higher than 18 year-olds and 30 percent higher than for 19-year-olds. If that is so, why is that when you're 16 you are aloud to have a state issued drivers licenses, and even in some places, like South Dakota you can get yourself a learners permit when you are 14! Are you kidding me? FOURTEEN? I  just turned 15 four months ago, and I'm not where near ready for my learners permit, let alone on my way to get a drivers licenses. What's the reason for these teens crashing? Sadly they are all caused from the typical naive, risky-teenager. (Of course, some teens are exempt from that allegation.) Cellular Devices, Speeding, and of course the great old pressure of peers. Cell phones are usually glued to teenagers hands, and most every teen has one. All state gave a serve, and 56 percent of teens who took it said they make and answer phone calls while driving.While luckily, only 13 percent said they would compose or read a text message. Speeding is a no brainier. Teenagers, again typically, love the rush. They think it's fun, exciting and thrilling. I think sometimes teenagers forget the purpose of them being able to drive. Which is getting yourself from point A to point B without public transits, parents, or any other crazy time consuming ways of transportation. And is it sad I find it funny that a almost half of teen drivers would say they driver safer without friends in the car? I mean what are they thinking? "Oh no, Sally is about to get into the car, better forget everything I know about driving safely!" I mean seriously. What's so cool about driving unsafely? I honestly think I would find my friends "cool" if they knew how to drive in a safe, officiant manner. Then again, maybe I'm just another exception. Why is that it's so easy for teens to prevent car crashes, yet there are soooo many teens dying this way?! It just really blows my mind.I think they should either raise the age here in Texas, or at least make it harder for teens, especially my age, to get their licenses. (With the exception of hardship licenses.)