Princeton Teen Injured In Wreck Princeton, N.C. — State toopers said that a single-vehicle wreck injured a Princeton High School junior along Bakers Chapel Road, southwest of Princeton, Thursday morning. A vehicle driven by Patrick Jacobs Jr., 17, of Smithfield, went off the road at 2926 Bakers Chapel Road shortly before 8:30 a.m., Trooper D. Braswell said. The vehicle hit two culverts at private driveways and came to rest upside down in a ditch, trapping Jacobs inside. Jacobs was transported to WakeMed. He was in serious condition, but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, Braswell said. Jacobs was going home after a church lock-in New Year's Eve, and fatigue caused the wreck, Braswell said. Jacobs was charged with failure to maintain lane control. He was wearing a seat belt, troopers said. Jacobs' father, Patrick Jacobs, is the principal of Smithfield-Selma High School. State, county and education have been working to reduce wrecks involving teens in Johnston County. In 2007, the county led the state with most traffic fatalities among those between 15 and 24 years old. Since 2006, nearly 30 teens have died in wrecks on county roads. Jacobs' high school has been hit especially hard: Four Princeton High seniors and a recent graduate have died in wrecks since September 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maybe the answer to all of these wrecks is to either put mandatory restrictions of hours of operation for teenagers, or to raise the driving license age to 20???? I do not know if there is any easy answer but there are far too many young people being injured or killed in car accidents.
A church lock-in??? I'm confused Did they have to stay up all night or what? Not trying to be a wise acre or anything, but I've never heard of such a thing. Sorry for the teen - hope he makes a full recovery --------- ok I just Googled the subject - it's supposed to keep kids safe and they eat and play games. . .etc Chaperoned. . .and it went on to say that they are supposed to bring sleeping bags, but no one ever seems to sleep - so it sounds like those who are of driving age stay up all night and then drive. . .sounds real safe.
A lock-in is just a symbolic means of having fun activities in a party-type atmosphere at a safe place for teens and young kids, especially on a holiday evening like New Years Eve. Our church had one at a local college gymnasium/arena one time. We sat up all night, played basketball, volleyball, ate, etc. Edit: Pretty bad, zookeeper on my part. I didn't even read your edit. Anyway, I see you got the idea. In the right environment, it can be a lot of fun. I'm not sure having it at most churches would be as fun as in a place as big as a gymnasium, but none the less it serves a good purpose...except having someone drive you home or getting plenty of sleep beforehand.
Unfortunately raising the driving age isn't the answer. It is just what it is an accident. Look at the drinking age situation. It is 21 but how many under 21 are drinking? I think sometimes if we put too many rules and regulations. If we become too protective we cause problems. Does this make sense? It is simply we have to balance things. It isn't just teens either that make mistakes. I see so many adults talking on the phone, putting on makeup, and driving while fatigued. We set the example...right? I wouldn't of hesitated to let my child drive to and from a church lock in. I am glad he is alive. See I met the girl who caused my accident. She is young and just turned 21. She was sincerely sorry and cried when she saw me walking with my cane. She thanked my husband for saving her life. Thanked me for not personally suing her. It was afterall an accident, yes my life is forever changed, but she realizes her mistake.
Wow, we just realized that this was Principal Jacobs' son (a little slow on the details when reading before). Did not know the son but Jacobs is a really nice, hard working, gentleman. We were honored to have him as my teen's Middle School Principal when he was at Riverwood Middle School. Church lock-ins have been going on as long as I can remember and this is such a tragedy. Please reach out to this wonderful family. Sherry
Raising the driving age is not the answer, imo. What needs to change is the attitude towards driving put forth by the adults out there. Children learn, at least partly, from imitation. All their lives they've seen their parents speeding, tailgating, generally acting irresponsible behind the wheel. Add to this the constant bombardment of speed from things like Nascar, various energy drinks, etc. and it's no wonder they drive like that. When you add excessive fatigue or speed to a complete lack of experience, this will be the result. Now, obviously this doesn't apply to all kids, but this is what I see as the problem. It will change when adults start setting good examples of driving (all of us, not just the parents) and a comprehensive drivers education course is given. Mike
Driving sleepy is extremely dangerous. I carried my wife to the hospital one evening and was there for hours. We left the ER at about 3:30 a.m. and I was exhausted. She wasn't able to drive either. I drove home down I-40 and at times I literally felt as if I dozed off for just a split second several times. Never will I do that again under similar circumstances. If there is such a time like that again, I'm going to the nearest hotel and sleep. I honestly feel as if we were both lucky to have made it home that night. I partially blame the hospital due to their lack of attention for the last couple of hours, but that's another story and still ultimately my responsibility to know when NOT to drive.
