Teens and car accidents may be a challenging topic to talk about, but we are all aware that car accidents happen to everyone due to different reasons. Every parent of a teenager worries when their child sits behind the wheel. Some parents let their children get a driving license when they turn 16 because they think that learning the responsibility of driving a car is a good thing. However, other parents only allow their children to apply for the driving license when they turn 18 and are legally adults.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. They also say that teen car accidents are preventable and that different strategies may lead to the improvement of safety on the road.
Factors that put teen drivers at risk
Here is the list of some of the factors that may put a teen driver at risk:
Driver inexperience – young and inexperienced drivers are likely to misjudge and underestimate dangerous situations. Due to their inexperience, teenagers are more likely to make critical errors while driving and end up in a serious accident.
Speeding – speeding is another problem that causes a lot of accidents, and if inexperience is added to it, an accident may be hard to avoid. Younger drivers are more likely to speed than older, more experienced drivers.
Not using seat belts – it has been shown that using a seat belt can reduce the risk of fatality and serious injury in a car crash. According to the CDC, teens and young adults often have the lowest seat belt use rates.
Impaired driving – teens drive impaired. One of the reasons is that teenagers are more likely to engage in risky behavior.
For instance, drinking alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal, so drinking and driving are illegal too. It has been reported that many teens were found to have been drinking alcohol before the accident.
Nighttime and weekend driving – night driving statistics show that teens are far more likely to be in serious driving accidents at night. Mile for mile, 16 and 17-year-old drivers are about three times as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash at night than during the day—and they do not have to be out super late.
Who is most at risk?
The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among young drivers aged 16-19 than among any other age group. The ones who are most at risk are male drivers, teenagers who are driving with other teenage passengers, and teens who have just got their license.
Parents’ role in preventing teen car accidents
Everyone needs to know ways to prevent teen car accidents. First, as a parent, make sure your children know about the leading causes of teen car accidents. Some of the leading causes are: driving inexperience, having teen passengers, not using seat belts, nighttime driving, impaired driving, reckless driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving.
Parents can also make a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement where you put all the rules that need to be followed when driving.
Additionally, parents can provide 30 to 50 hours of supervised driving practice over at least six months and to prevent their children’s night driving for at least six months after receiving the driving license. And most importantly, parents need to be good role models for their children and drive without breaking the rules.
If a car accident happens
If a car accident happens to you or your loved one, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who will lead you through the entire legal process and give you the best legal advice. With knowledgeable representation, a firm commitment to justice, and a passion for getting you the settlement you deserve is where Dan Zohar, a Tampa car accident lawyer can help.
If you need to talk about teens and car accidents and what to do after, call attorney Zohar today! Call at (800) 963-3311, toll-free!