A fatal trend in Sonoma County 8 teens killed in crashes this year -- up f

[Sequoia]

The four teenagers who lost their lives in a Petaluma auto collision Tuesday became part of a tragic trend in Sonoma County, where a growing number of teens have died in motor vehicle crashes in recent years.

California Highway Patrol Officer Christine Jacobs said eight people between the ages of 15 and 19 have died there this year in crashes where teenagers were driving.

There were five such deaths in 2004 and two in 2003, she said. In Marin County, at least three died this year in crashes involving teenage drivers.

The cause of Tuesday's crash remains under investigation, but Jacobs said the earlier North Bay fatalities were a consequence of young drivers' lack of experience, combined with an increasing sense of invincibility and the use of high-powered cars on rural roads.

<snip>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/15/MNG7PG8F8U1.DTL

This is very distrubing and is tragic news for the parents and family of these young people. Teens be very, very careful driving and be alert. People have been telling the police about this intersection for a long time and there are bushes that obscure the road. How many people have to die before traffic lights are put up in these dangerous areas.

[havocmom]

1. Might be some difficulties telling real life from games on the 'puter

has something to do with it. Every time a car crash game or movie comes out and gets popular, the kids in my area go nuts and start crashing into each other while engaging in really stupid stunts.

Might be good to insist school boards allow funds to teach more science, like basic physics to the kids again. The ones around here don't seem to have a clue basic things like inertia, let alone figure that velocity + mass can pack a punch. They assume they will have crashes and think they will always walk away from them.

Am thinking it might be some modern adaptation on survival of the fittest. In that case, I am torn. Perhaps some of the fools need to be outta the gene pool?

[CornField]

2. There was once a bill proposed which wanted to make it illegal

for teens to car pool together. There was even a video which showed the teens driving style when adults were present and compared it to their driving style when only other teens were in the car. The differences were startling.

[WI_DEM]

3. alot of young people think they are invincible

very sad for their families and friends.

[Craig3410]

4. Glad you said "a lot", I was going to call you on that.

I'm 18, and I know I'll die eventually. :)

[Skittles]

5. we were all teenagers once , Craig

we know how it is :) Seriously though, I think you young ones have more distractions than we did - cell phones and more portable music stuff - be careful! :D

[Zynx]

6. The "fun" gained by driving recklessly is nowhere near worth the risk

involved. Problem is that I think driver's ed doesn't do a good job of telling people the consequences. Also, the road tests are far too lenient. I got a "perfect score" and I think I made a number of mistakes. For one thing, most 16 year olds are not emotionally mature enough to drive so I think there is a case to be made to raise the driving age to 18.