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Teen Driving Accidents And Prevention

Posted by: at 12:48 AM on April 16th, 2015

The leading cause of death among teenagers ages 15-20 is car accidents according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In fact, teenagers are three times more likely to be killed in a car accident than any other age group. Not only do teenagers not yet have the experience to deal with hazardous conditions but their immaturity causes them to make bad decisions like speeding and failing to buckle up their seatbelt. In fact, of teens killed in car accident, 55% were not wearing a seatbelt. 

Teenage drivers are often distracted by visual and auditor stimulation both inside and outside of the car. Even though texting and driving is prohibited, a majority of teens report that they had responded to text messages while driving.

We all know that it is against the law for teenage drivers to drink and drive, yet many teens and you adults still take this risk. Young drivers tend to drink and drive less than adults but whey they do, they are more likely to be involved in a car accident because of their relative inexperience with both driving and using alcohol.

There are technologies available which can actually help teens become better drivers.

  • Seatbelts - Seatbelts are a basic safety device and when parents model seatbelt use and purchase cars with in-vehicle seatbelt alerts, teens are more apt to use them.
  • Cell phone blocking technologies are available that prohibit teenage drivers from texting and answering their phone while driving. There are a variety of cell phone apps and after-market products available.
  • There are after-market devices available monitors a teen's driving speeds and position and can also limit texting.
  • Breathalyzers can detect the amount of alcohol in a teens' blood stream, informing them that they should not be driving.

While technology is fantastic, parental supervision and directed practice with parents in the car is crucial for a teen to learn to be a safe driver, especially in the first six months.

TEEN DRIVER FACTS & STATISTICS

  • 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.
  • 56% of teens said they talk on the phone while driving.
  • Statistics show that 16 and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger.
  • Only 44% of teens said they would definitely speak up if someone were driving in a way that scared them
  • Teen drivers with involved parents are twice as likely to wear seat belts.
  • More than 40% of teen auto deaths occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
  • Talking on a cell phone can double the likelihood of an accident as well as slow a young driver’s reaction time down to that of a 70-year-old.
  • 1 in 5 of 16-year-old drivers has an accident within their first year of driving.
  • 56% of teenagers rely on their parents to learn how to drive.
  • Crash risk for teens increase incrementally with each mile per hour over the speed limit.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, contact the attorneys at LDM&M.   Acting promptly to preserve your rights is essential after any accident.  For over 40 years, the attorneys at LDM&M have been helping individuals across SE Wisconsin receive the legal satisfaction that they deserve.  Contact our offices for a free, personal consolation.