Monthly Archives: October 2017

Teens and the Coveted Driver’s License – Or Is It? Part II

Clean Teen Reads

In Part I of Teens and the Coveted Driver’s License – Or Is It?, statistics were cited that showed large numbers of teens these days are delaying getting their driver’s licenses.

Although I can understand some of the reasons given for this delay, I personally wasn’t aware of this new trend. I mentioned in that post that it’s not evident here in the Midwest where I live. The teens that I know are all still eager to get that coveted driver’s license and gain new-found freedom.

Clean Teen ReadsLingering Dreams

This got me to thinking about the teen drivers in my teen novels. For instance, Lingering Dreams opens with a scene where the main character Kirsten Nicholson is driving the family Jeep over rutted country roads in the rain. She’s on her way to pick up the stranger who is coming to work at their Oklahoma ranch. Because Kirsten, a senior in high school, is a rancher’s daughter she’s already been driving for many years.

 

 

Oklahoma ExileClean Teen Reads

Serena Iverson in Oklahoma Exile is staying with relatives so there is no opportunity for her to get behind the wheel; however, her cousin, Amber June drives. And as with Kirsten, Amber June who lives in a farming community, began driving early in her teen years.

 

 

Clean Teen ReadsForever is Over

The main characters in Forever is Over are eighth-graders, still too young for their licenses, so there’s more bike riding in this story plot.

 

 

 

Flower in the HillsClean Teen Reads

Driving plays an important role for Latina in Flower in the Hills. Due to her having had to drive to another town earlier in the day, she’s returning to the small Ozark community of Zell’s Bush after dark. It’s just her and the little special-needs girl, Althea. It’s the point in the story when she meets head-on with the most terrifying moment of her young life. The frightening scene could not have played out had she not been able to drive. (Interesting, huh?)

Believe me, I wasn’t consciously thinking of all this when developing these different plots. However, I find it interesting how it plays out.

Clean Teen ReadsBrought To You By The Color Drab

And then there’s Race Paloma in Brought To You By The Color Drab. The occasion of obtaining his driver’s license is pretty much forced on him. It isn’t his idea at all.

Race lives in the ghetto and the only cars he ever drove were stolen. But when he and the law collide, he has the chance to rectify his situation by taking a job as a driver for a blind piano tuner.

The fact that he has to do a rush job on getting his license is an implied, and not explicit, facet of the plot. However; it plays a momentous role in the story.

The Holder of the Keys

No matter whether the driving experience is delayed (as the cited statistics prove), or begins early as with Kirsten Nicholson, it’s a fact that driving is a prevalent part of our current culture. And I believe the vast majority of teens look forward to that day when they step into adulthood—becoming the holder of the keys!

How About You?

Where are you on your journey to becoming the holder of the keys? Leave your feedback in the comment box below.

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads

 

My newest release, Brought To You By The Color Drab, is a story that has A LOT to do with a teen driver. A teen who is almost FORCED to drive!

You can read the first two chapters right here. Just click below.

Download Chapters 1 & 2 of Color Drab FREE

Just CLICK HERE!

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads

Teens and the Coveted Driver’s License – Or Is It? Part I

Clean Teen Reads

Surprising StatisticClean Teen Reads

Recently I saw a statistic about teens and driving that surprised me.

It appears the majority of teenagers in the U.S. are delaying getting a driver’s license. A recent study  found a significant drop in the number of young people licensed to drive by the time they are 18.

Twenty years ago, two-thirds of teens had their license before age 18. More recently that number has dropped to just over half.

What a change from the day when for nearly every teen, getting that coveted learner’s permit, or the actual license, was like a teen rite-of-passage. So what’s happening?

Those who track such statistics are noticing a distinct shift in the sense of urgency.

Clean Teen ReadsWhy The Shift?

So why the shift? Below are a few reasons given in the study:

  • 44 percent – Did not have a car
  • 39 percent – Could get around without driving
  • 36 percent – Gas was too expensive
  • 36 percent – Driving was too expensive
  • 35 percent – “Just didn’t get around to it”

 

Lack of Driver’s Education

This one isn’t listed in this particular study, but fewer and fewer high schools are offering classes for driver’s education. Some families are unable to pay for driver’s schools outside the high school curriculum. Without that education, the student is unable to meet the graduated driver’s license (GDL) laws that apply in nearly every state.

Delay Memo Clean Teen Reads

In spite of all these studies and statistics, I don’t think the “delay” memo has reached the youth in the Midwest where I live. Most students are still over-the-top excited to have that coveted “freedom card” known as a driver’s license.

Here in this vicinity where clusters of small towns prevail, public transportation is practically unheard of. Plus, parents are oftentimes eager for that teen to be able to drive to cut down on the constant, unending parent/chauffeur duty.

The Cause for Concern

Those who delay are waiting until they are 18, at which time most of the GDL stipulations no longer apply. They can simply take the test and obtain a license. This, obviously, is where the concern comes in, because it means new drivers on the road, all of whom are untrained. Untrained young drivers (statistics show) are among the most dangerous drivers. Not good.

What’s Your Take?

So how about you as a teen? What’s the consensus among your friends? Are they waiting till age 18? Are you waiting? Or is everyone still excited to get a learner’s permit, and their key to freedom, ASAP?

Stay Tuned for Part II of Teens and the Coveted Driver’s License – Or Is It? 

Teen drivers play integral roles in several of the novels that I’ve authored. We’ll take a look at them in Part II.

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads

 

My newest release, Brought To You By The Color Drab, is a story that has A LOT to do with a teen driver. A teen who is almost FORCED to drive!

You can read the first two chapters right here. Just click below.

Download Chapters 1 & 2 of Color Drab FREE

Just CLICK HERE!

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads