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It's not only commonsense that can be lacking, but the adolescent brain is not developed fully enough to contemplate the possible outcomes of "risky behavior." That part of the brain that regulates impulse and emotions does not fully develop until the person is in their early to mid 20s. They simply do not have the capability to fully control themselves. Research also shows that when other peers are around, young adults are significantly more likely to engage in risky behavior (e.g., showing off). They simply do not have the "neurological brakes" of adults.
I am not trying to say that teens are not responsible for their behavior (e.g., it's not my fault, my brain is still a baby). What happened was a horrible accident, but calling it an "accident" only means that the outcome was not intentional; someone is still responsible for bringing about that outcome. Perhaps teens need more oversight by their parents and perhaps parents should be educated about what kids and teens are capable of from a cognitive standpoint so they can then make better overall decisions about their kids.
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