Teenagers Shouldn't Drive

[Kingpatzer]

So, I'm coming home from work yesterday, and this 16 year old girl runs the stop sign in front of me, giving me no time to turn, brake or anything else. I t-bone her at speed. She's fine. My civic is totaled, and I'm home from work after spending last night in the emergency room.

No serious damage, but I've got one hell of a headache.

Got a CAT scan of the old noggin as well as full body x-rays.

I'm covered in cuts and abrasions and bruises. I look like someone took a baseball bat to me. It really is remarkable that nothing is broken and I'm not more seriously hurt.

The scariest part for me was really seeing her turn to look as I slammed into her car . . . I thought for sure I was about to kill her.

Followed shortly by the white dust from the air bags in the air, I thought for a few seconds my car was burning . . .

[dallasdivergirl]

Wow.

Glad to hear that you are relatively ok.

[hoop]

Holy Smokes King!! Glad you're still in one piece, even if you're bruised up! As far as the car, that's what insurance is for.... I know it's a pain in the A$$, but it could have been much worse...

[Foo2]

Wow! I can imagine that seeing her look was a terrifying moment. I'm glad to hear that both of you are ok.

[MConnelly2]

Airbag break your nose? When I was a teenager, I drove my Chrysler LHS (okay, my father's LHS) straight into a phone pole at 63MPH. Out too late, hurrying to get home, fiddling with the seatbelt while I was driving instead of before I pulled out of my friend's driveway, like a smart person would, got going too fast and didn't turn when the road did, straight into a utility pole, 63MPH, no seatbelt, and walked away. Or limped away, did a number on my knee.

Airbag busted my nose, but saved my life, without question. That was a tank of a car, beautiful car, too. With the crowd I was usually with, the well dressed kid driving the immaculate luxury car (I kept that thing sparkling) had a nearly unfair advantage picking up chicks. Amazing what just plain dressing neatly and acting civilly will do, especially when it contrasts with those around you.

[mm_dm]

Glad to hear you're okay, brother. I had almost the same thing happen to me about two months after I paid off the (previous) car. She's pretty fortunate as well, a t-bone usually has a low survival rate.

[SkuaSeptember]

I'm glad you are both fine,but this doesn't mean teens shouldn't drive, just that driver training and observation time behind the wheel should be increased.

[DivingCRNA]

Originally Posted by SkuaSeptember

I'm glad you are both fine,but this doesn't mean teens shouldn't drive, just that driver training and observation time behind the wheel should be increased.

I am really starting to believe that kids should not drive without a parent/guardian until they are 18. With the new stereos, satellite radio, iPods, and CELL PHONES it is too easy for the kids to get task loaded and KILL someone.

It is not cool enough anymore to just drive the car.

[Gombessa]

Ouch, glad your ok!

I think this has little to do with teenagers and more to do with inadequate training. The usual drivers ed, training, and DMV test are ridiculous.

I was very safe as a teenage driver, and didn't get into a preventable accident until well into my mid-20s

[DivingCRNA]

Maybe we need to model our drivers training after the Germans...

Driving in Germany Europe | The German Way & More