Motor vehicle crashes are the number-one cause of death among American teenagers. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics for 2013, over 2,100 teens were killed and nearly 250,000 required visits to hospital emergency rooms. The fatality rate for young males involved in auto accidents was almost twice that of their female counterparts.
Factors involved in heightening teenagers’ susceptibility to auto collisions include, but are not limited to, the following:
•· Teens are more likely to speed than older drivers and not allow for the proper following distance.
•· Young drivers tend to underestimate dangerous situations or fail to recognize them at all more so than older drivers, which points to their inexperience and/or distracted driving-also more of a problem with young drivers (ages 16-20) than other age groups.
•· Alcohol elevates the risk of accidents for all age groups, but in a disproportionate way for young drivers.
•· The level of seat-belt usage is lower for teenage drivers.
Many auto accident fatalities and injuries can be avoided. Parents can help by setting a good example by being dutiful driving teachers and exposing their kids to a wide variety of driving situations; restricting nighttime driving (for at least the first six months); hammering home the importance of seat belts; emphasizing the consequences of distracted driving and limiting the number of passengers to one (if any) until they’re more experienced; and instituting a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the fault of another, contact us to protect your rights.