Teen driving in the Parkway and beyond

Teenage drivers are statistically more likely to be in a car crash than drivers from any other age group. Crashes kill more teens than anything else. In fact, nearly 40 of the Bay State's 2012 traffic fatalities were young men and women between the ages of 16 and 20.

In Massachusetts, 39 people ages 16 to 20 were killed in car crashes in 2012, the most recent year for which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a full set of data. People ages 16 to 20 accounted for more than 11 percent of all traffic fatalities statewide, compared to a national rate of 9.6 percent.

India Vickers, a 17 year old who takes driving classes at Parkway Auto School in West Roxbury, said teenagers make driving mistakes for a number of reasons.

“Too much overconfidence leads teens to think they are able to get behind the wheel when they are in no condition to do so,” said the Hyde Park resident in an emailed statement. “Also showing off! Teens love to show off, whether it's your grades, your license or the speeds at which you drive a car.”

Vickers attends Boston Latin Academy with West Roxbury’s Mark Delamere, who was injured in a serious car crash on the Arborway in September of last year. He was 14 at the time and sustained life-altering injuries to the brain and spine after being ejected from the vehicle.

The driver, Nikolas Papadopoulos, was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle in West Roxbury Municipal Court on Nov. 14.

Papadopoulos at first entered a plea, hoping the judge would not include jail time. After an emotional impact statement from the family of Kevin Cellucci, who was also severely injured after Papdopoulos’ vehicle crashed into his, the judge issued a two-year sentence, and Papadopoulos then withdrew the plea. A trial date was set for March 3.

“I do feel like what happened (in that crash) can serve as a cautionary tale for teens when getting behind the wheel of a car because it reminds you that you have to be safe, wear a seatbelt, and be cautious of your surroundings while driving,” she said.

Joe Hernandez, one of the two instructors at Parkway Auto School, located at 1752 Centre St., said his goal is to create safe drivers.

“I look at these kids and teaching them to drive and I think of the thrill of first getting behind the wheel,” he said. “I’m teaching the kid how to be a safe driver.”

He likes to give his students homework, which involves observing others.

He asks them to watch their parents drive, and notice what they do right, and what they do wrong. Do they talk or text on their cell phone, or not pay attention to the road in other ways?