Sample Persuasive Speech

Summary

The speaker recounts a tragic car accident involving a 16-year-old driver and his friends, resulting in deaths and life-altering injuries. Using this story, the speaker highlights the dangers of teenage driving, citing statistics and research showing the high rate of accidents among young drivers due to inexperience, brain development, and risk-taking behavior. The speaker proposes raising the driving age to 18, restricting nighttime driving, and limiting passengers for young drivers as effective ways to reduce fatalities and improve road safety.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The story begins with a tragic car accident involving four teenagers returning from a concert, resulting in the deaths of two, including the driver.
• 📉 Teenage drivers, although making up only 7% of licensed drivers, account for 14% of motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S.
• 🧠 Research shows that the brain of an average 16-year-old is not fully developed to effectively assess risks, contributing to reckless driving behavior.
• ⚠️ 16-year-olds are three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes compared to older drivers, with speeding and driver error being common causes.
• 🌙 Night driving significantly increases the risk of accidents for inexperienced teenage drivers, especially after dark.
• 👥 The presence of teenage passengers in the car increases the likelihood of accidents. One passenger doubles the risk, while multiple passengers increase it fivefold.
• 🕰️ The speaker suggests raising the age for full driving privileges to 18 to allow for better brain development and more driving experience.
• 🌃 Restricting night driving for teenagers until age 18, with curfews around 9-10 p.m., is recommended to reduce accidents.
• 👫 Limiting the number of teenage passengers in cars driven by young drivers is suggested to reduce distractions and accidents.
• 🏫 The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of stricter driving laws for teenagers to prevent accidents and save lives, sharing the personal impact of the tragedy on his nephew.

Q & A

What was the cause of the accident involving the speaker's nephew?

The accident was caused by the 16-year-old driver losing control of the car while driving too fast.

How did the speaker's nephew's life change after the accident?

The speaker's nephew is now finishing high school in a wheelchair, which he will occupy for the rest of his life.

What percentage of licensed drivers are teenagers, according to the script?

Teenagers make up 7% of the nation's licensed drivers.

What percentage of all motor vehicle fatalities are attributed to teenagers?

Teenagers represent 14% of all motor vehicle fatalities.

How many drivers aged 16 to 20 were killed in automobile accidents the previous year according to the script?

3,657 drivers aged 16 to 20 were killed in automobile accidents.

What is one of the major causes of problems associated with teenage driving mentioned in the script?

One of the major causes is inexperience, as new drivers haven't had enough time on the road to develop their driving skills.

What does brain research from the National Institute of Mental Health reveal about teenage drivers?

The brain of an average 16-year-old has not developed enough to effectively judge the risk of a given situation.

According to the Washington Post, when does the likelihood of having an accident increase for 16-year-olds?

The likelihood of having an accident increases several times over when 16-year-olds drive after dark.

What is the impact of teenage passengers in the car on the risk of a fatal crash?

One teenage passenger doubles the risk of a fatal crash, and with two or more passengers, the risk is five times greater.

What is the first step the speaker suggests in creating a national policy to reduce teenage driving accidents?

The first step is to ensure no one can receive a learner's permit until age 16 and full driving privileges until age 18.

What is the optimal policy for passenger restrictions suggested by Kevin Quinland from the National Transportation Safety Board?

The optimal policy would be to bar drivers aged 17 or younger from having any passengers in the car unless the riders are adults or family members. Drivers from the age of 17 to 18 should not be allowed to carry more than one teenage passenger.