Teen Road Rage Issues
According to the report "Driving: Through the Eyes of Teens" from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for U.S. teens. Many of these accidents connect to issues such as drugs, alcohol, cell phone usage and irresponsible driving. Road rage is another issue that connects to irresponsible driving. Teens often have a hard time controlling their emotions, making for a potentially explosive situation behind the wheel if they cannot control their anger. Road rage leads to such behaviors as speeding, cutting off other drivers and enraged horseplay, which makes the road a dangerous place for everyone.
Other People Are Reading
-
Fear Response
-
Not all road rage behavior in teens connects directly to anger. Many teen road-rage issues come about because of fear. Teen drivers do not have the same level of experience as a seasoned driver, which cause the mistakes and sudden moves of other drivers more stressful. Fear response to these stressful situations can lead to anger behind the wheel, especially in situations where teens drive a new vehicle, have other passengers with them or fear for their own safety. Fear that elicits an angry response can create unsafe driving conditions. Parents can talk to teens about the dangers of driving to help teens deal with the unexpected behavior of other drivers.
Parent's Influence
-
Children and teens who watch their parents display road rage behaviors are much more likely to engage in this behavior themselves. These teens grow up learning that road rage is an appropriate and normal response during a tense driving situation. Parents who set an example of responsible driving and model the behaviors they want their teen to exhibit behind the wheel can help put an end to teen road-rage issues.
-
Peer Pressure
-
When teens get into the car with other teens, peer pressure can apply just as in any other situation. In unexpected and tense driving situations, teens may want to show off for their friends to prove that they are bold and daring. They may also succumb to the peer pressures that turn driving into a game of one-upmanship or payback. These are all issues that can lead to road rage.
Flight Response
-
According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report, 75 percent of drivers say that they have seen teen road rage or teens driving in a heightened state of emotion. This may be due to the typical flight response that teens exercise once they have keys to a car. After a fight with their parents, a typical teen response is to storm out and drive away. Teens will use their vehicles to get away when they are feeling sad, upset, angry or stressed, leading to increased chances of road rage.
Anger Issues
-
Although anyone may experience road rage, teens with anger issues have a heightened chance of becoming enraged behind the wheel. This rage can endanger the lives of teen drivers and those around them. Parents can talk to their teens about anger management and ways to deal with anger behind the wheel, and should closely monitor any teens with anger issues while driving.
-
References
- The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools: Teens Report on Teen Driving
- After Car Accidents: Teenage Car Accidents -- Top 6 Reasons Your Teen Drivers Get in Fatal Car Wrecks
- Connect With Kids; Teens & Road Rage; Emily Halevy; March 14, 2007
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute: Driving: Through the Eyes of Teens
