GROW UP, ALREADY! – YOUNG DRIVERS ENRAGED

Daun Thompson — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:06:40 +0000

Young drivers, in construction-heavy, rush hour traffic, are paying little mind to driving courteously. And that may be why a third of all drivers accused of road rage are in their 20’s and are responsible for more accidents than any other age group. Take a defensive driving class so that when you think: are young drivers enraged more or more out of control than in the past? It now appears that some of that baffling behavior of a teenager may be the result of neurobiology, and not raging hormones. As for my teenage daughter, she must be going through a large dose of both at the same time. Unfortunately, she and I simultaneously going through our own raging hormone parade. I had her when I was older. So, she’s going through puberty, while I’m going through menopause. You’ve probably seen the “fight” on Youtube. Sometimes we pass each other in the hallway and don’t even speak, nor do we make eye contact. It’s like walking down any sidewalk in New York City.
For many years it was thought that brain development was set at a fairly early age. By the time teen years were reached the brain was thought to be largely finished. However, scientists doing cutting-edge research using MRI, have found data contrary to these beliefs. It now appears the brain continues to change into the early 20’s with the frontal lobes, responsible for reasoning and problem solving, developing last. That must be why teenagers think and act differently. In calm situations, teenagers can rationalize almost as well as adults. But stress can hijack decision making. The frontal lobes help put the brakes (no pun intended) on a desire for thrills and risk taking. But they are also one of the last areas of the brain to develop fully. Added stress such as school, her first job, an immature boyfriend that always says the wrong things, certainly add to an already edgy situation. So, perhaps young drivers are more enraged for more reasons than we thought.
This is also why teenagers are four times as likely as older drivers to be involved in a crash and three times as likely to die in one. Oh, and four times more likely to be throttled by their parents for having a smart mouth. The parts of their brains related to emotions and decision-making are still in the works at that age. As their brains undergo rewiring, teenagers are particularly vulnerable to risky behavior, such as drinking and driving too fast. So, brain immaturity can explain why the teen crash rate is so high.
To find out how your brain rates, try this free test at http://www.braingradetest.com
And, I will be back next week with an all new show!
Daun Thompson

Young drivers enraged – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Driving Under The Bridge

Lisa — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:20:44 +0000

Why does a driver’s insurance rate drop at the age of twenty-five?

Recently, I was driving around in Irving, Texas listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ CD called Blood Sugar Sex Magik. When that album was released, I was 22 years old. Back then my driving sucked!! My insurance rates were high because of my gender and particularly because of my age. I drove my car like I drove through life, reckless. I would rush into a bad relationship like I was going through an intersection with a red light! Back then I hung out with a group of friends, like my age, that were into Native American Spirituality and we hung around the Dallas-Irving area and no, we didn’t play Dungeons and Dragons. We lived for the moment in our self deceived eternal youth. Like bohemians on the Ship of Fools we floated down the river of Nirvana. According to the insurance companies, we were in a high-risk age category for drivers more likely to cause an accident. Young drivers are inexperienced and they take more chances behind the wheel.

Yes, the good ‘ol days of grunge rock, the internet was new, we still had cassette players in our cars and I drove like a driver’s ed. school flunky. Now I believe or at least I hope my driving is much better, just don’t ask my girlfriend. I always use my turn signals even when I cut someone off. I make an effort to tell myself not to have road rage before I start my car. I don’t speed up to keep someone from moving over, most of the time. Even when there’s a homeless person standing on the side of a freeway off-ramp, I always make eye contact to tell them “no”, instead of acting like I have to concentrate to change the radio station.

Now to answer the question, “why does a driver’s insurance rate drop at the age of 25? In your brain, the cerebral cortex (frontal lobe) located behind the forehead, deals with complex decision making. This part of your brain does not fully develop until the age of twenty-five. For most men, it does NOT develop until 50, am I right, ladies?? That’s why your 30 year old husband acts like he’s still in the 7^th grade!

OK, back to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and driving in Irving, I had a spiritual awaking without the use of some organic substance. Unlike my Mantra of the past, “Live for today, F@%K tomorrow” my old school of philosophy has changed to “Slow down, you’re driving too fast!”, “Take it easy” and “Turn down that music, it’s too loud!” As I’m getting older, I’m gaining more experience and with that, come the wisdom. Just like a classic or antique automobile, you increase in value and prestige and along the way you pick up little pieces of dignity and unbridled pride.

Keep sending in your comments and e-mails. Join me again next week and until then…

Take care and be safe-
Danny Keaton

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GROW UP, ALREADY! – YOUNG DRIVERS ENRAGED

Driving Under The Bridge