Getting a new driver’s license may be an exciting time of newfound
freedom from teenagers, but as with any great freedom comes perhaps even
greater responsibility. Unfortunately, mistakes when driving can mean
serious injuries after a major auto accident, which a newly unsupervised
teen driver is more than 30 times more likely to be involved with. In honor of
June being National Safety Month, here are four reasons why teen drivers are such a high accident risk
and how you can help your teenager avoid these issues to become the safest
driver possible.
Inexperience
The risk for being involved in a car accident is highest when a new driver
first gets their license. Despite having a learner’s permit for
at least several months before becoming licensed, this is hardly enough
experience to truly get a feel for what life is like out on the roads.
Teens have not encountered many of the situations they’ll face over
the course of their driving life, and they’re not yet accustomed
to controlling their car in a way that avoids some of these situations.
Driving at Night
It may not seem that surprising, but 40 percent of all fatal crashes happen
at night. When the sun goes down and visibility on the road drips, driving
becomes more difficult for everyone, especially for teenagers who don’t
yet have this type of experience. Make sure your teen knows to check that
their lights are on and all working before setting off at night, and that
they use all signals to show their behavior and make sure they are seen
and can see what’s ahead of them.
Driving With Passengers
When it comes to dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, there is perhaps
none more dangerous for a teenager than driving distracted. And for teens,
the risk can come from sources we don’t even usually think twice
about as adults. Young passengers, such as friends, significant others,
or even other family members can all dramatically increase the risk of
an accident, just by being in the car. The risk of a fatal accident increases
an astounding 44 percent when a teen driver has just one young passenger
with them. That risk then
doubles when you add in a second young passenger and
quadruples for a third.
Reckless Behaviors
Teens are also not immune from partaking in some of the driving behaviors
that are risks for everyone. Drinking and driving is illegal for everyone,
and there’s a zero-tolerance policy for young people. Yet nearly
20 percent of all young people killed in crashes had been drinking before
the accident. More than one-third of all young male fatalities behind
the wheel occur because the teen was driving too fast, making speeding
one of the most deadly reasons for accidents. Finally, more than half
of all young people killed in crashes were not wearing their seatbelt.
If you or your teenager has been injured as a result of a car accident
due to the negligence of another,
call a Midland car accident attorney from Dean Law Firm today at (432) 214-8125!