This is regarding “Speeding right into a tragedy; After a high-speed crash kills a popular athlete, a Springfield high school finds peer pressure–a key part of the problem–could also be the solution” (Page 1, Sept. 27).
The story contains a “What parents can do” box.
I suggest a “What adults can do” box, and at the top I would place “Object to televised auto commercials.”
Most feature cars speeding, weaving, tailgating, taking turns at unreasonable speeds, skidding sideways, zooming through populated city streets, peeling rubber in parking lots and so on, all for dramatic effect, and all examples of totally irresponsible driving.
These images are implanted on teen minds and when teens take to the road, they are apt to think they can, or ought to, drive that way.
One needs only to spend a few hours on local highways to witness the effects of this barrage of moronic driving. Young drivers seeking to express their individuality are prone to emulate the images pounded out daily on television by auto manufacturers.
Very little of the commercials has to do with features of the autos, and it is difficult to distinguish one car from another based on reasons to purchase, other than one perhaps being faster or meaner than another.
The constant barrage of sponsored images of reckless driving by adults can only lead to reckless driving by teens, and more sad stories such as that featured in this article.
Do auto manufacturers really care about safety on the road? Or do they perhaps feel that wrecked autos pave the way for more sales of new ones?
Sad to say, the images they provide on daily television now make me wonder.
