Elena, you just ran a red light!" Brad shouted from the back seat of the car. "Did I? Sorry! I didn't even see the red right." A few minutes later, Elena saw a stop sigh--after she ran it. She was driving over the speed limit. When they go to Megan's house, Elena called her mother. "Mom, we're at Megan's house. Everything is OK. I drove safely."
Teenage driving is sometimes a problem. In the United States, more teenagers die from accidents than from any other cause. There is a higher risk of accidents with 16-year-old drivers than with 17-and 18-year-old drivers. Also, when teens drive with other people in the car, they have accidents more often than when they're driving alone.
What is the reason for the teenage driving problem? Are teens reckless and dangerous drivers? Some people say teenagers are too young to drive. Other people don't agree. They say that the problem is just that teenagers are new drivers. They just need more practice and experience.
What is the solution to the problem? Some people think the solution is "graduation licensing." Here's what this means: A 16-year-old can get a license, but the license has limits, that change over time. For example, at first the 16-year-old must drive with an adult. Then he or she can drive alone. The 16-year-old must not drive with other teenagers or must not drive at night. When the teenager has more experience, he or she can have a license with no limits. Some countries are trying graduated licensing, and it seems to be working well.