Never has the now-overused quote, “It takes a village” been more appropriate regarding the subject of new teen drivers.
Perhaps the psyche of these drivers needs review to discover why they keep blowing off the new rules and regulations adopted for their own safety. It is hard to appeal to individuals who have such great belief in their own invincibility.
The idea that “nothing will happen” to them permeates their senses and lends itself to what seems to us more-experienced folks as an all-too-careless attitude.
Having two children, both of whom have had their share of fender-benders, I can speak with some experience here. My insurance premiums did suffer from my children’s lack of experience, not to mention the inconvenience to the family because everyone’s lack of freedom was thrown off kilter, albeit temporarily.
My 16-year-old niece just announced she is about to receive her learner’s permit, which caused a heavy silence to fall upon a room full of experienced drivers.
An observer could read the thoughts going through the room’s collective mind- “Oh no, not another accident waiting to happen,” or “How much experience is it going to take for her to prove her competence?” and “Oh, boy, she’s so young.”
There are several factors for consideration that might help avoid the rash of recent tragic accidents. Increasing the amount of driver’s education behind-the-wheel hours might boost a new driver’s experience level. Somehow, six hours does not seem adequate enough to encounter all the situations that can occur when behind the wheel of an object that could potentially become a deadly weapon. Offer a full-term accredited high school course, and since the course is offered in high school, increase the minimum age for a learner’s permit to 17.
If the student driver satisfies all the requirements of said course according to that particular school district, along with those of the state, then at 18 years old the driver will receive his or her provisional license. After all, you cannot vote until you are 18 years old, and drinking is not allowed until 21.
Reinforcing the regulations by adding more road spot checks might also help. Thankfully, crime rates in these small communities are not like those of the bigger cities; a police department spending a little more time periodically checking young drivers, making sure they follow the rules created for their own safety and for their parents’ peace of mind, lets new drivers know the community is sincere in its efforts to create a safe environment for all its members.
Here again, assistance from the schools could help, posting security when students enter parking lots at the beginning and end of the school day. Each driver would be required to show his or her license to determine driver status. If a violation is apparent, the police department and the parents are contacted to initiate corrective action. Two benefits are evident here: the new security force creates jobs that will not detract valuable time from a busy police force, and possibly, just possibly, a life or two might be saved.
While our “villages” do not possess crystal balls, and we cannot predict just when or where or even if an accident will happen, we can do everything in our collective power to help these new drivers come to the realization that they can bend and break, sometimes beyond repair.
Sheiry Marsay is a resident of Sayreville, Middlesex County.

