According to statistics on teenage drivers and car accidents
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car crashes
involving teenagers are common and often have tragic consequences. Car
accidents are a leading cause of death among teenagers of ages 16 to 19.
Accidents involving teens claim more than 2,000 lives each year, while another
240,000 teens suffer serious injuries. Here are some statistics about teen
drivers and car accidents that parents should be aware of:
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Approximately six teenagers die each day as the
result of injuries sustained in car accidents.
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Teen drivers are approximately three times more
likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than other drivers.
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The risk of being involved in a car crash or
collision is highest in the immediate six months after a teen gets a license.
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For teens, the chances of an accident increase
with the number of passengers in the vehicle.
The rate and severity of teenager car accidents depend on a
lot of different factors that can be attributed to their lack of experience
behind the wheel. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that
a combination of inexperience and immaturity is often to blame in car accidents
involving teenagers. According to research conducted by the IIHS, some of the
most common causes of teen driving accidents include:
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Distracted Driving
Teens are among the drivers most impaired by distraction, whether it’s by electronic devices or from other passengers. A recent AAA Foundation study showed that teen drivers are distracted almost a quarter of the time they are behind the wheel.
Teens are among the drivers most impaired by distraction, whether it’s by electronic devices or from other passengers. A recent AAA Foundation study showed that teen drivers are distracted almost a quarter of the time they are behind the wheel.
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Driver Error
Lack of experience in driving often means not knowing how to handle potentially dangerous driving conditions or making a wrong maneuver.
Lack of experience in driving often means not knowing how to handle potentially dangerous driving conditions or making a wrong maneuver.
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Speeding
Speeding is a factor in roughly one-third of all car accidents involving teenagers, according to the IIHS.
Speeding is a factor in roughly one-third of all car accidents involving teenagers, according to the IIHS.
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Night Driving
Teens are more likely to drive at night and on the weekend, which is when the chances of being involved in an accident are higher.
Teens are more likely to drive at night and on the weekend, which is when the chances of being involved in an accident are higher.
What can parents do to help their teen be safer on the road?
Here are some tips:
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Take time to practice driving skills with your
teen, and model good driving behavior. Emphasize the importance of wearing a
seatbelt, and require your teen to wear one at all times when in the car.
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Place a limit on the number of passengers your
teen can have while driving.
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Restrict night driving by enforcing curfews.
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Have safety in mind when choosing a vehicle for
your teen.
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Remind your child of the laws and penalties when
it comes to speeding and drinking and driving.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
