Chelsea Strutton and Morgan Warren

Writers

From fenderbenders to collisions, Marlow High School has had its fair share of accidents during the 2020-21 school year.

Around the country, teenagers aged 16 to 19 are at a higher risk to be involved in a motor vehicle crash with the age group being three times more than drivers aged 20 or older to be in a fatal crash, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As stated by the CDC, in 2018, 285,000 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 were treated for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes and 2,500 were killed.

With lunch being notorious for being the most accident-prone time, a poll taken at MHS reported that 8% of the sophomores, juniors and seniors have wrecked during lunch with the most accidents tying in students’ sophomore and junior year.

Each class within Marlow High School is known for acting a specific way, and the Class of 2023 is notorious for being the most reckless drivers.

Despite the sophomore class’s reputation of being bad drivers, the poll revealed that only 2% of sophomores have been in a wreck at lunch while the highest percentage of 11% belonged to the juniors.

Sophomore Jaci Woolwine has had her driver’s license for nearly one year and knows the gears around driving.

Woolwine stated that she has noticed her class’s reckless driving and elaborated on why she believes her grade is known for their below-average driving abilities.

“Sophomores are the worst drivers,” voiced Woolwine. “We all want to get to places fast at lunch, and we want to look cool.”

Even though the sophomores have a reputation of bad driving, the poll revealed of those with their driver’s license, 55% believe that they are good drivers, with another 31% stating that they are okay drivers and 14% thinking they are bad drivers.

Senior Tyler McKinley has two years of driving experience and has been the victim of various mishaps in the parking lot after being dismissed for lunch.

McKinley spoke about how students can avoid being involved in wrecks at lunchtime.

“Students are always in a rush,” stated McKinley. “They can prevent accidents by paying attention and being patient.”

Marlow High School will continue to encourage students to drive safely and work towards making the streets free from danger upon the 11:35 A.M. lunch dismissal.