Although there are programs like driver’s education to help teach teens how to drive, teen drivers are still six times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. The reasons behind these statistics may surprise you. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported the following. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 are:
- Two times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than drivers 30 to 59
- Five times more likely to be involved in a car crash than drivers 30 to 59
- Six times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than drivers 18 or older
- Nine times more likely to be involved in a car crash than drivers 18 or older
Between the years of 2014 and 2015, the percentage of fatal crashes involving new teen drivers increased by 10 percent.
Main Contributions to Teen Driver Deadly Crashes
Three main factors contribute to car crashes among new teen drivers, and they do not have anything to do with knowing how to operate a vehicle properly or how to maneuver from place to place on the road.
- Speeding: Speeding is the cause of almost 30 percent of fatal car crashes involving teen drivers, and according to research, it is in the top three mistakes that teen drivers tend to make.
- Distracted Driving: Chatting with passengers, texting, talking on the phone, and fidgeting with the radio are some of the top distractions for teen drivers.
- Not Wearing a Seatbelt: Sixty percent of teens that were killed in car accidents in 2015 were not wearing a seatbelt.
Measures to Ensure Your Teen is Driving Safely
Although parents cannot always be present when their teenager is driving, there are some things that they can talk about with their teen to ensure their safety. Parents should:
- Make sure that their teens understand that they should not be doing anything with their cellphone while driving. If they need to use their phone for any reason while driving, they should pull off on the side of the road or into a parking area to do so.
- Limit the number of people that their teens have in their car; the more passengers in a vehicle, the more the opportunities for the teenager to become distracted.
- Express that speeding is never permissible. Even if your teen driver is going to be late for something, he or she should never risk speeding and getting into an accident.
- Remind their teens to avoid any other types of distractions while driving. For instance, they shouldn’t be grooming, eating, or looking for items while driving.
Teen driving safety is crucial, but some instances are out of their control. If your teen driver is injured in a car accident, be sure to reach out to Michigan Legal Center. We have experienced car accident attorneys who can analyze the facts of the case and help you secure the compensation you’re legally entitled to. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.