One of the most anticipated moments in a teenager’s or young adult’s life is earning their driver’s license and the independence that comes along. However, young drivers often get involved in serious car accidents.
In fact, auto accidents are the second leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2019 alone, nearly 2,400 teens between the ages of 13- and 19-years-old were killed and almost 258,000 suffered injuries that led to emergency room visits in traffic collisions.
The following are the most common causes of car accidents involving teen drivers:
Distracted driving – Teenagers are often on their smartphones, whether to communicate with friends or browse social media, even when they are behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one (1) in three (3) teens admits to texting while driving. Distracted driving takes your hands off the steering wheel, your eyes away from the road, and your mind away from the main task of safely operating a vehicle. Other common distractions resulting in teen driving accidents include passengers, eating/drinking, changing the radio station, and applying makeup.
Speeding – Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed, disobey traffic signs, as well as engage in reckless driving and even tailgating. NHTSA says that speeding was a factor in 27 percent of fatal car accidents involving teen drivers. Additionally, as teens gain confidence in their driving skills, they may tend to speed more.
Inexperience – Since teens do not have the same experience as older drivers, they often underestimate or fail to recognize hazardous traffic conditions, causing them to make errors in judgment that can result in a devastating collision.
Intoxicated driving – While underage drinking is illegal, such activity is still prevalent among high school and college students throughout the United States. CDC says teens are more likely than any other age group to be killed in a drunk driving accident. Furthermore, driving under the influence of drugs, whether they are illegal, prescription, or over the counter, could also result in fatal crashes.
No seat belts – Teens and young adults have the lowest seat belt use rates among all age groups. In 2019, NHTSA says 45 percent of teen drivers who died in accidents were not wearing their seat belts, while nine out of ten unbuckled passengers died in fatal accidents involving teen drivers.
Traffic laws and governmental systems can only do so much to prevent teen-driving accidents. It is up to parents to lead by example and set safety standards to protect their children from dangerous driving habits.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a negligent teen driver in Brooklyn, call Belushin Law Firm, P.C. at (888) 918-9890 or fill out our online contact form today for a free initial consultation. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients!