QUESTION 1
Explain the following aspects in your own words for five (5) marks each. Do not write more than ten (10)
sentences in each case.
1.1 Discuss adolescents’ vulnerability to accidents. Page 24 - 25 (5)
Accidents as a health hazard increase during adolescence, especially among boys. Many accidents are caused
by daring, taking risks and being careless. Boys, in particular, like performing daring stunts with cars,
motorcycles, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and the like. Some regard experimentation with alcohol and
drugs as a sign of adulthood and are involved in accidents as a result of substance abuse.
Furthermore, these adolescents have a naive belief in the myth of their own invulnerability. This myth
originates from adolescents’ typical self-centred perception of reality and is referred to in the literature as a
‘personal fable’ (Rice & Dolgin 2008). They believe that they are special, that ‘bad things’ happen only to
others. They feel that they are immune, exempt and even immortal. Personal fable beliefs can therefore be an
underlying reason for some of the reckless, seemingly self-destructive behaviours.
Accidents account for over a third of adolescents’ deaths around the world (Executive Summary 2011). In
South Africa, deaths from motor car accidents represent the largest health problem among 16-to 19-year-olds.
In comparison to older people, young drivers are more likely to drive fast, follow too closely, overtake in a
dangerous manner and fail to yield to pedestrians. This driving behaviour, combined with a lack of driving
experience and driving under the influence, results in a high accident involvement rate. The death rate of
young South African drivers is more than five times higher than that of older, more experienced drivers
(Makhubu 2013). Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are four times more likely to crash than older
drivers; and about 30% of crashes killing young drivers involve alcohol and contributing factors, such as
speeding (Arrive Alive 2013).
Inexperience and being unaware of potential consequences of behaviour, such as speeding and following too
closely, are also related to motor car accidents. In this case, it is not so much deliberate risk-taking as a lack of
driving experience.
There are certain subgroups among adolescents who are more likely to display high-risk driving behaviour
(Williams 1998). Adolescents who display personality characteristics, such as rebelliousness, alienation and
defiance of authority, are also more likely to display risky driving behaviour, and reduced parental influence
also leads to more accidents and traffic violations. Thrill-seeking is an important motive for certain subgroups
of adolescents, and they engage in dangerous driving. (See Chapter 3 for risk-taking and brain development.)
The vulnerability of adolescents stems partly from their tendency to take risks and test the boundaries of
socially acceptable behaviour. They are in a state of establishing an autonomous identity and may experiment
with alcohol, tobacco and other substances, or engage in risky behaviour that can lead to injuries and/or
health problems (Executive Summary 2011).
Explain the following aspects in your own words for five (5) marks each. Do not write more than ten (10)
sentences in each case.
1.1 Discuss adolescents’ vulnerability to accidents. Page 24 - 25 (5)
Accidents as a health hazard increase during adolescence, especially among boys. Many accidents are caused
by daring, taking risks and being careless. Boys, in particular, like performing daring stunts with cars,
motorcycles, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and the like. Some regard experimentation with alcohol and
drugs as a sign of adulthood and are involved in accidents as a result of substance abuse.
Furthermore, these adolescents have a naive belief in the myth of their own invulnerability. This myth
originates from adolescents’ typical self-centred perception of reality and is referred to in the literature as a
‘personal fable’ (Rice & Dolgin 2008). They believe that they are special, that ‘bad things’ happen only to
others. They feel that they are immune, exempt and even immortal. Personal fable beliefs can therefore be an
underlying reason for some of the reckless, seemingly self-destructive behaviours.
Accidents account for over a third of adolescents’ deaths around the world (Executive Summary 2011). In
South Africa, deaths from motor car accidents represent the largest health problem among 16-to 19-year-olds.
In comparison to older people, young drivers are more likely to drive fast, follow too closely, overtake in a
dangerous manner and fail to yield to pedestrians. This driving behaviour, combined with a lack of driving
experience and driving under the influence, results in a high accident involvement rate. The death rate of
young South African drivers is more than five times higher than that of older, more experienced drivers
(Makhubu 2013). Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are four times more likely to crash than older
drivers; and about 30% of crashes killing young drivers involve alcohol and contributing factors, such as
speeding (Arrive Alive 2013).
Inexperience and being unaware of potential consequences of behaviour, such as speeding and following too
closely, are also related to motor car accidents. In this case, it is not so much deliberate risk-taking as a lack of
driving experience.
There are certain subgroups among adolescents who are more likely to display high-risk driving behaviour
(Williams 1998). Adolescents who display personality characteristics, such as rebelliousness, alienation and
defiance of authority, are also more likely to display risky driving behaviour, and reduced parental influence
also leads to more accidents and traffic violations. Thrill-seeking is an important motive for certain subgroups
of adolescents, and they engage in dangerous driving. (See Chapter 3 for risk-taking and brain development.)
The vulnerability of adolescents stems partly from their tendency to take risks and test the boundaries of
socially acceptable behaviour. They are in a state of establishing an autonomous identity and may experiment
with alcohol, tobacco and other substances, or engage in risky behaviour that can lead to injuries and/or
health problems (Executive Summary 2011).
