Teens are very inventive in maneuvering around authority figures and restrictions.

Their prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is growing from the age of 12 to 24 - 27 years old, provides us with impulse control and the ability to evaluate consequences. As a result, teens have enough brain growth to creatively subvert rules and authority figures, but not enough to foresee the many dangerous consequences. This is obvious when, every few years, new teen trends emerge as teens find creative new ways to put themselves in danger and create enormous anxiety for parents!

Nearly every state has restrictions on new teen drives including, as shared by 16-year-old Karla Greene. “Once you get your license you can only have family members in the car.”

But teens who feel inconvenienced by the new rules have found a way to get around them. It’s called “trunking.”

As shared in an article by Connect with Kids, a multi-media, education company focused on helping educators and parents teach life skills, prevention, character, health, and wellness many kids fail to realize that trunking is not only illegal- it’s incredibly dangerous. “I’ve ridden in the trunk a few times,” says 20-year-old David Mack, “We had too many people in the car and I was the smallest one, so it all came down to me.”

A very sad example occurred when best friends Chris Snyder and Scott Atchison were riding in the trunk of a car and the car hit a tree. The trunk lid popped open in the crash, ejecting them onto the highway where they were both run over. Sadly, both teens died.

Bob Wilson of the National Safety Council says, “We’re trying to keep our teens safe - and it’s proven that by restricting other teenage passengers it reduces risk to them.” He adds, “It’s the parents’ responsibility for getting their teenager through the teenage years safely. Certainly the trunking issue comes into play- cell phone use, alcohol, drug use, seatbelt use- all of those are parent responsibilities to make sure their teen is compliant.”

Furthermore, says Wilson: "I think the consequences [for trunking] should be very severe. If that child is already driving, revoking driving privileges for a period of time would certainly be appropriate."

Sue Scheff of Broward County Parenting Teens Examiner suggests, “Experts say parents need to make the driving laws explicit.
* If you find that your child has been “trunking,” make the consequences severe. Suspend all driving privileges for a period of time. (Bob Wilson, National Safety Council)

* Maintain a zero-tolerance policy with your teen regarding alcohol - on and off the road. (National Safety Council)

* If your state does not have teen driving restrictions, set your own. Make sure your teen is able to drive safely before they drive at night or with friends in the car. (Allstate Insurance)

* Any unbelted passenger is at extreme risk in an accident- whether they are in the cabin or in the trunk. Insist that your child always wears a seatbelt. (Bob Wilson, National Safety Council)

Let LEGACY OF HOPE Assemblies awaken kids to How their brain works in making healthy choices!