For sophomores at W.F. West, as well as tens of thousands of other students statewide, this year will have a special meaning. It's the year most of them will take driver's education, which if successfully completed, will entitle them to that most hallowed rite of passage into adulthood ­ a driver's license.

"People, after all, aren't born knowing how to drive. They have to learn the skill somewhere, somehow," said sophomore Katie Anders.

Several studies have shown that high school driver's education programs have substantially increased the numbers of 16-17 year-olds receiving drivers' licenses. However, driver's ed. programs have not reduced the number of accidents among teenagers

Senior Melissa Snow admits that teenagers are reckless and inexperienced drivers. "It's a part of being in high school. I'm glad I got my license, although I rear-ended a woman in Centralia; in Olympia I failed to yield so I broad-sided a car; I hit a garbage truck; and ran into a parked car," she admitted.

Data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Washington show that teenage drivers are responsible for a higher share of crash deaths per license holder than older drivers. One of the problems with teen drivers seems to be that they don't think anything will happen to them. "They're excited about their freedom; they don't take into account their lack of experience. In their mind they have the 'I'll be just fine' mentality," said W.F. West driver's education teacher Ivor Hoglund.

The Washington Traffic Safety Committee reported 700 deaths and 83,000 injuries on roads and highways last year. Three of those deaths hit very close to home. Sophomore Jessica Perkins Booker, junior Leanna McNeice and 1998 senior Nikole Putman were killed in two separate car accidents. The year previous, the loss of 1996 W.F. West graduate Aaron Trotter shocked this community. These accidents were tragic, and were not necessarily the result of reckless driving. But they should serve as a warning to other teens.

Experts say that all the education in the world can't change the fact that a lot of teenagers think it's cool to drink and drive, to speed, to ignore stop signs and drive without a seat belt. "It's unfortunate, but the fact is that even the best program is a weak lever for reducing accidents among teen drivers," said Chuck Hurley, Vice President of Communications for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Some people think the only thing that will make driving safer for teenagers is more parental involvement and control. "The laws don't always pass because of money, but if people were really concerned with the death rate among teens, more restrictions need to be set," said Hoglund. "Maybe supervision until they're 18 years old, or enforced curfews ­ 1:00 a.m. on weekends and 10:00 p.m. on school nights. The key is not being allowed on the streets when accidents are likely to occur, but it's easier said than done."

Others believe that stricter academic expectations would help put only the knowledgeable and adequately prepared drivers on the road. "The student should have to pass the test with better grades," said freshman Andy Hamilton. "Driver's ed. might help your skills, but most of it you have to learn on your own or with your parents. Your personality really determines how you drive," said sophomore Deborah Pursley.

Snow had a much simpler idea to improve teen driving. "Make lunch an hour long," she said.

Most public high schools offer driver's education to students between the ages of 16-18 who want to obtain a driver's license. The class costs about $150.00 per student. "Driver's ed. is a short class, all we have time for are the basics of defensive driving skills and understanding some laws," said Hoglund.

The class usually has the students spend 30 hours in the classroom and a minimum of four hours behind the wheel of a car with an instructor. At least four more hours are spent observing one or more of their fellow classmates behind the wheel.

"The more time a young person spends learning and practicing driving skills, especially under the guidance of a well-trained instructor, the better," said Jim Churchill, a consultant on safety education to the State Board of Education.

After parallel parking has been mastered, the new task for most people is finding a car and getting it insured. Some students work and buy a car, some borrow their parents' car and others are given cars. "A lot of teenagers don't buy as good a car and they [the cars] don't work right and cause accidents," said Hamilton.

"It's not fair. My insurance agent said boys get in more accidents, but girls' accidents usually cost more. My insurance is $120.00 a month, but my parents help me and pay for it," said junior Mike Lewis.

"It is so stupid that I have to pay more for insurance than girls, when they're the ones you see crashing into things more," said senior Jess Mills.

Often even the best teen driver is categorized as being reckless and irresponsible because of their age. Several students expressed outrage that in the eyes of some adults, young means irresponsible and maniacal.

Other teens support the stereotype. "Teenage drivers are hot tempered, emotional, and very irrational about driving. Some just don't care about getting a ticket or in a wreck so they drive like they want to," said senior James Colter.

"The sophomores usually drive slow and are pretty bad, the juniors are bad too but they have more confidence, and blast their stereos while they drive around," said junior Jason Gardin. "Seniors are the best drivers in the school; most are done doing all that crazy stuff that the underclassmen do."

Nevertheless, when most teens get a license they associate the licence with being an adult. This new-found responsibility, driving, brings independence and freedom . "Just getting out on the open road and going somewhere, anywhere, is fun," said Lewis.

Colter agreed. "Driving is like playing a guitar or playing basketball; it's something to get you out of the house," he said.

BOYS versus GIRLS

Lindsay Oldoyd

Brandy Mauel

Melissa Snow

Tino Sanchez

Lucas Curelas

"Girls are more conservative in their driving, guys are
reckless. Girls think things through." Lindsay Oldroyd, 12

"Girls, because they mature faster than boys and I think that applies to driving too." Brandy Mauel, 11

"Guys are better drivers cause girls are always putting on makeup." Melissa Snow, 12

"Girls are better drivers because boys are egotistical, macho, and want to show off their driving ability." Tino Sanchez, Campus Monitor

"I have two sisters and they both drive like crazy people. Guys are definitely better." Lucas Curelas, 10

1. True or False - Once a pedestrian is in the 
cross walk, all lanes of traffic have to stop.

2. True or False - Turn signals are self 
cancelling on most motorcycles.

3. True or False - You are not required to 
carry proof of insurance in your vehicle in WA.

4. How long will a juvenile age 13 through 
17 be suspended for a conviction on an alcohol violation?
a.      2 years
b.      6 months
c.      Until they are 17
d.      1 year or until they 
are 17

5. What is the maximum speed (unless 
otherwise posted) on a county road?
a.      35 mph
b. 45 mph
c. 50 mph
d. 55 mph