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Brain Development
on Teen Driving
Brain Development
on Teen Driving
Brain Development in Adolescence
The frontal cortex section of the brain, responsible for reasoned and logical decision-making, is not fully developed in adolescent drivers.
instinctive or emotional decisions are driven by the amygdala, which is fully developed by adolescence.
Communication between different parts of the brain is not fully developed until adulthood.
CAR CRASH STATISTICS AMONG TEENS
Seven teen drivers (16-19 years old) are fatally injured every day on the road.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for adolescents.
56% of adolescent drivers drive distracted, such as texting or talking on the phone while at the wheel.
Seven teen drivers (16-19 years old) are fatally injured every day on the road.
23% of teen drivers in collision were driving under the influence of alcohol.
Teen drivers are almost three times more likely than adults to die in a car crash.
How brain development affects driving
ADOLESCENTS’ FRONTAL CORTICES AFFECT INHIBITION CONTROL AND WORKING MEMORY.
ADOLESCENT BRAINS ARE IMPRESSIONABLE, ALLOWING PEER PRESSURE TO CONVINCE TEEN DRIVERS TO DRIVE RISKIER.
POOR INHIBITION CONTROL CAN LEAD TO RISK-TAKING THAT INCREASES CHANCES OF CRASH, SUCH AS RUNNING A RED LIGHT OR SPEEDING.
REDUCED WORKING MEMORY IN TEENS LEADS TO IGNORING LANE LINES OR FORGETTING SPEED LIMITS.
Sources
https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/the-teen-brain-behavior-problem-solving-and-decision-making-095.aspx https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/adolescent-brain-development https://childrensmd.org/browse-by-age-group/teenagers-driving/
https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/index.html
https://injury.research.chop.edu/blog/posts/developing-brain-and-teen-driving#.XI1hrefQgdU
