My views on Teen Driving…

Toward the end of 2008 I was contacted by a teen, a student from a high school in Atlanta, Georgia, to answer nine questions in regards to a report she was doing on Teen Driving. Here are the questions, followed by my answers:

Dear Ms. Zech,

In your research in the driving safety, I am writing to ask for your valued opinion on the safety of teenage driving. I am a junior at Warner Robins High School, and as an assignment, I am required to seek information from an authority on teenage driving. I will greatly appreciate it if you will take the time to answer the following questions to the best of your ability and have them completed by the fourth of February (09) since I have a set deadline.

Your expert opinion on teenage driving will add credibility to my research and is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
L. Franklin

Dear Lauren,
Thank you very much for contacting me – I’d be happy to answer your questions. .

In answer to:
1) What is the one driving danger or distraction for teen drivers that you hear most about today?

My Answer: I understand that you are asking for the “top” distraction, but may I answer it with the top “two” distractions – the distraction of cell phones (talking on a cell or text messaging) – the 2nd, the distraction of friends in the vehicle. The use of cell phones, whether talking or texting, has been proven to be a “deadly distraction” – it’s been compared to being under the influence of 2 to 3 beers. Friends in the vehicle: it’s found, for every friend you put in your vehicle, you increase the danger of having a tragic collision. More friends – more reckless…a tendency to show-off.

2) Do you think that sixteen year olds are ready to be driving by themselves?
My Answer: 16 year old drivers? Well, because of what we see. We would rather the age limit be 18 years of age to drive a vehicle, but it greatly depends on the maturity level of the teen. There are some teens that actually wait until they’re eighteen, sometimes even older. Some teens are more mature than others. But 18 seems to be the age when there’s a maturity level to make better decisions behind the wheel. Then again, even older drivers make poor choices.

3) What is your oppinion on Joshua’s Law? Should teenagers be required to participate in this program?

My Answer: Joshua’s Law is the same law in California we call a “Provisional driver’s license” carrying restrictions during the first year of driving under 18. Both laws are designed to increase your chances of survival behind the wheel through “experience.” The more “behind the wheel experience” – the better the driver to handle various situations they encounter. Your law requires 40 hours of supervised driving, California law requires 50 hours. I highly recommend teens take full advantage of this law if they want to increase their chances of survival during their teenage years of driving and beyond. Both laws require experience driving at night. Teens are more apt to be involved in a collision during the evening hours. Thanks to our law in California we saw a 24% drop in deaths among teen drivers.

4) Would raising the driving age make them any less the novice with their maturation? Explain.

My Answer: It’s assumed the older the wiser…the older, the more mature your decision making. But every teen is different. Some teens recognize for themselves whether they’re ready to handle driving at age 16, 17 or 18. Especially as they see their younger friends killed and/or injured in crashes due to reckless driving. This often makes many teens realize how precious and fragile life is – thus becoming more responsible.

5) Describe some of the carnage you have witnessed on the job or you have heard about, dealing with teenage drivers.

My Answer: Speed and/or driving under the influence – those are major factors in the crashes I’ve seen. In October of 2004 we had a crash involving three 17-year-olds males. All had been drinking as they celebrated the birthday of one of teens turning 17. In the evening hours they caused a minor collision then raced off to avoid being caught. While racing away they ran a red light and were struck broadside by a large truck who had the green light. In the impact the 17 year-old, whose birthday they were celebrating, was ejected. Due to their speed this caused a sling-shot effect thrusting the teen head first into a fire hydrant at the corner. Fire hydrants are made to break off at the base making them easier to repair when a vehicle runs into it – but in this case, the teen knocked over the fire hydrant with his head. Without getting too graphic in print – it basically knocked off the top of his head above his eyebrows and was of course killed.

Quite often, in crashes involving speed/street racing, these crashes often result in occupants being crushed beyond recognition. A recent crash involved an 18 year-old losing control, going off the roadway into trees and his car bursting into flames – the impact killed him first – not the resulting fire.

*What people don’t realize – vehicles are made for transportation only – not crashing. Only NASCARS are built for crashing. For every 10mph -this is equal to a one-story fall impact. An 80mph crash is equal to an 8 story fall. For every 10 mph over 50mph – you’ve doubled your chances of dying in a crash.

6) Do you think that better traffic safety laws should be enforced?

My Answer: All laws, especially traffic laws, are made for the “safety” of all motorists and pedestrians. When a problem (causing injury & death) is recognized – a law is made to stop this problem from causing more injury and death. When we ignore these laws – the result is either a citation, a collision, possible injury or death. We passed the cell phone law in California after traffic collision investigations found 60% of our crashes were cell phone related.

7) Before my accident, I thought, I won’t ever get in a car accident. That won’t ever happen to me. Do you think that most new inexperienced teen drivers are thinking the same thing?

My Answer: Exactly. I keep hearing people say teens think they’re invincible. But no matter what age, although we hear of others being involved in crashes, we never think it will happen to us – until it does. For teens, despite hearing about other teens being involved in crashes and dying, they think “they’ll” do better at handling a speeding vehicle – or “they’ll” be different and can handle drinking and driving – that shows immaturity with youth. But, I also see that same type of thought process among adults.

8) If there is one thing you would want all teen drivers to know, what would it be?

My Answer: One thing? Hmmm – sorry, how about one long statement. What I would tell teens is what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced in my work -and in my own family.

REMEMBER the following: The number one cause of death for teens is traffic collisions. But most will die as passengers. Think of your life, your safety. NEVER get into a car with someone who is reckless, sleepy or under the influence of any drug, especially alcohol. ANY amount of alcohol consumed, no matter what age, should be considered dangerous behind the wheel. Remember that alcohol is a drug – a depressant. On the very first sip of alcohol it’s in your blood system within 6 seconds – immediately impairing your reaction time and judgment. Two important things you need to be a good driver…or operate any machinery.

Don’t risk and/or ruin your life like others before you – STAY AWAY FROM ALL DRUGS. You only have one brain and one body – protect them.

The worse vehicle to drive: motorcycles! No protection except a full helmet. But, if you strike an object with your torso you will most likely die, lose a limb or become paralyzed. To increase your chances of survival – follow laws made for your safety – wear your seat belts and be 100% alert behind the wheel. Also realize that being sleepy behind the wheel is just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Both conditions cause “fixation” – as you look at an object, a tree or bicyclist, you’ll drive right into that object without realizing it. The most dangerous of all roadway areas “intersections” – this is due to red light runners and STOP sign runners. In working for a police and fire department – our number one 9-1-1 call – “traffic collisions”. Be alert – be safe! Most of the collisions EMS respond to occur at intersections.

The dangers I’ve seen are professional and personal – my father was killed as a pedestrian by a DUI driver on June 5, 1992 – so I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. (The DUI driver was a 23 year-old man – it was his 4th DUI arrest when he killed my father and was sentenced to a mere 4 years in prison.) Then on February 10, 2005 my daughter was hit by a DUI driver. But, because my daughter was alert and saw her coming she was able to steer away from a “direct side impact” and suffered minor injuries. (This DUI driver was a 17 year-old female driver, with no license or insurance. This DUI driver is now prevented from getting a driver’s license until age 21.) A year after this crash my daughter graduated from paramedic school, and a month later married a young man she met prior to paramedic prep school. Both are paramedics and love their jobs. Saving lives runs in the family.

9) Should Driver’s Ed be offered in school?

My Answer: YES! Some teens wait until they’re 18 so they don’t have to take a driver education course. That is most often a fatal mistake. That means they have little or no experience when it comes to driving. A driver education course should be mandatory. Videos and experienced speakers, like myself and law enforcement, can make a big difference in educating teens on the real dangers of our roadways.

I’m very passionate about saving lives – so my answers were probably longer than you wanted. But I hope my information is helpful.

One more comment – as parents, we’d like to see our children grow up to achieve their goals, career and/or marry. I’ve met many-many-many parents who never got to see their children get past their teens due to deaths involving traffic collisions. Losing a child is one of the worst things a person can experience.

Thank you very much for contacting me. I am honored you contacted me. I hope my answers provide an eye-opening impact in “driving home” the message. Below is some additional data on Teen Driving.

Most Sincerely & Stay Safe,

Monica Zech

Here is some research information regarding teen driving:

First note the following research:

Crash patterns for teen drivers are alarming. Studies regularly show that:

• Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in the United States. In California alone, nearly 20,000 teen drivers are injured or killed every year.
• Teen drivers are in a far higher proportion of crashes than expected, given their relatively small percentage of the entire driving population.
• Teen fatal crashes take place far more commonly during late night hours than expected, given their relatively limited nighttime driving.
• Teen passengers are at a far greater risk in vehicles driven by other teen drivers than in vehicles driven by older, more experienced drivers.

Monica Zech – is the Public Information Officer for a city in San Diego County, and a safety educator on driving safety.

Monica Zech, a native San Diegan, began her career with the fire department in August of 2001, becoming the city’s Public Information Officer in July of 2005.

Prior to this Monica was a 30 year veteran of Television & Radio News, the last 18 years as a traffic/news reporter. Switching careers from broadcasting to the fire department was a dramatic career change, but Monica felt her prayers had been answered to have a job that allows her to provide safety education “full time” and to proudly represent and work directly with the heroic men and women of a police and fire departments.

On November 14, 2008 Monica received a Women In Leadership “Media” award from the East County Chamber of Commerce for her role as a Public Information Officer, and for her role as the City’s Safety Educator providing life saving lectures throughout the county.

On March 9, 2005 Monica was an honored recipient of the Individual 2005 Public Health Champion Award for her as the Safety Educator/Lecturer. This honor was given by the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency. This award recognized Monica’s extraordinary achievement in protecting and promoting the health and safety of all those throughout San Diego County. During 2007 and 2008 Monica again received several awards for her work in safety. (*See  Monica’s awards and recognition section on this website for a list of all her awards)

In Monica’s previous career in broadcasting, the last 18 years she was an “award-winning” Television and radio traffic reporter. But, she most enjoyed her work “off the air” in safety education. For more than 20 years (since 1984) Monica has been an injury prevention speaker and researcher in “traffic safety.” But now, she speaks on variety of other safety issues from fire safety to disaster preparedness.

How it started? In 1984, it was during her first few months as a traffic reporter that Monica began her work and passion for safety thanks to her safety research with local emergency personnel, trauma room surgeons, the medical examiner’s office and with safety organizations. It was through this work Monica quickly saw the crucial need to add safety education to her on-air reports and provide driving safety lectures in the community. As a result, the demand for her lectures spread to not only schools but to parenting groups, civic groups, companies, military bases and for company conferences throughout Southern California…a demand that continues today.  Monica also receives speaking requests and for comments on safety from across the United States.

Among the top safety issues Monica addresses in her lectures are the dangers of aggressive driving & road rage, and driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Sadly, and ironically, on June 5th, 1992, her work in traffic safety took on an even deeper meaning when her own father (John G. Pacheco), while as a pedestrian, was struck and killed by a drunk driver.

But, lightning can strike a family twice, when in February of 2005 Monica’s daughter “Victoria” was struck by a 17 year-old female – unlicensed – DUI driver. Thankfully, due to Victoria’s alertness and quick actions, she was able to avoid a direct side impact into her driver’s side. Her injuries were somewhat minor, but of course Monica was very thankful her daughter was able to avoid serious injury – but most of all “death.”

Monica says her work in safety continues not only in memory of her father – but in memory of all those killed and injured in traffic collisions everyday.  In August of 2003 Monica herself was almost paralyzed in a collision caused by a STOP sign runner – she was saved by being alert behind the wheel and wearing her seat-belt!

In community work, Monica is currently the board Vice President of CASA – Communities Against Substance Abuse. She is also an advisory board member for WalkSanDiego, a group dealing with pedestrian safety.  She also assists other safety organizations as safety speaker and/or media advisor.

• If you’d like to arrange a safety lecture for your school, group, company safety meeting or military safety stand-down, please contact Monica Zech at (619) 460-0299, or e-mail your request to monicazech@cox.net.

Some additional background information: During her broadcast career, it was in January of 1984 that Monica became San Diego’s first female airborne traffic reporter, for the Automobile Club of Southern California . After just a few months, Monica became San Diego’s very first “television airborne traffic & news reporter.” She first reported for NBC 7/39, and then added  ABC Channel 10. It was quite an honor and accomplishment for Monica’s broadcast career, that as a reporter, she had the rare opportunity of delivering traffic and news coverage for two television stations and some ten radio stations during the morning and afternoon commutes. In that first year of reporting from the air, Monica was the first reporter on scene for the San Ysidro McDonalds massacre. She reported non-stop for an hour and 45 minutes until a SWAT Team sharp shooter fired the last shot that ended the siege. She received a Golden Mike and two San Diego Press Club awards for her reporting.  Monica’s dedication to safety has been recognized by others in the community. In 1995, Monica was asked by then San Diego Mayor Susan Golding to be a member of the mayor’s Transportation Demand Appeals Board.  In 1998, Monica’s work was recognized nationally when she received a call from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington D.C. to assist in ongoing research on “aggressive driving & road rage.”  As a result, Monica began educating her audiences on ways to reduce the stress of driving…and how to deal with ”road rage.” She also addresses the problem of “Red Light Running” and the essential need of “Photo Enforcement.” Recognizing her efforts, the National Campaign Against Red Light Running, also in Washington D.C., named Monica Zech their San Diego spokesperson in 2001.

(Take a moment to visit Monica’s award page)

CERT – The East County Community Emergency Response Team – 2010 Schedule Posted

FREE training is available through CERT. To see the CERT schedule for 2010 please visit the El Cajon Fire website.  Due to a great community response our 2010 CERT academies are both full.  Please click on the CERT Council link below for another CERT program near you.

• Or go directly to our new East County CERT website – East County CERT
• There are other CERT classes available in the county! To find another CERT class please click here – CERT Council

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference. While people will respond to others in need without the training, one goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

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