It’s normal routine for a teenager turning 15 to get their permit. It’s also normal routine for a teenager turning 16 to get their driver’s licenses, but many teenagers postpone on getting one. There are many reasons to why teenagers are postponing getting a driver’s licenses such as; the cost, taking other alternatives, getting in car crashes, and other distractions. This postponement can lead to a driving phobia, if not dealt with. However, there are solutions for overcoming this postponement such as; trauma-focused therapy, and interventions. In conclusion, a driving phobia is a real and difficult thing for some teens to overcome.
One teen I know of who doesn’t have a driver’s licenses and who is absolutely scared out of her mind to drive,
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If just one person distracted and driving on the road could affect not just one, but many others lives. What I don’t understand is why aren’t we taking driving more seriously? Jensen (2013), revealed that “In terms of their biggest fear about driving, 20 percent said the unpredictability of, and interaction with, other drivers” (Jensen, 2013). If everyone took driving seriously and put all there distractions away maybe teens wouldn’t be so scared to face other drivers. Susan Brenna (2000), author of “What Teenagers Fear Most: Grown-up Drivers,” explains that teens are afraid to face other drivers: “But a surprising, if unscientific, conclusion emerged from recent interviews with two dozen 15-and 16-years at driver-education classes in suburban Atlanta as deeply as adult drivers fear them, teenage drivers fear adults” (Brenna, 2000). The adults need to show and prove to teenagers that they shouldn’t be so afraid of …show more content…
If our parents and driving instructors took the time to help their son/daughter or student out, I believe that the percent of teens getting their licenses at the minimum age would increase by a lot. B. Scott-Parker (2014), author of “I would have lost the respect of my friends and family if they knew I had bent the road rules: Parents, peers, and the perilous behavior of young drivers” has explained that interventions could be very helpful in the overcoming process: “Interventions enhancing positive influence and curtailing negative influence may improve road safety outcomes not only for young novice drivers, but for all persons who share the road with them” (Scott-Parker, 2014, p.1). Teens need more of the encouraging part instead of all the negativity. All teens are different, so you have to approach them differently. A study titled “Teen Driving Plan” from “Teen Driver Safety” revealed that “Key TDP study results show that the intervention increases parent engagement as driving supervisors, practice variety, and parent support of teens. An intervention such as this, rigorously tested and based on solid behavioral objectives, holds promise in making the learner period of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) more effective” (Curry, n.d.). If the parent were more engaged with their teenager, and supported them through thick and thin to overcome their fear,