Considered to be the riskiest drivers on the road, teen drivers are more likely to get into car accidents than adults. Compared to 20-year-old drivers, teen drivers who are between 16- and 19-years of age are more likely to be involved in serious road incidents – which can prove fatal. There are several reasons for this.
It has been observed that drivers who have less than 2 years of road experience are not capable of recognizing and reacting to dangers. Additionally, teenagers fresh out of driving school are more likely to get into an accident during their first month of driving.
Despite their enthusiasm, most teens fail to realize their road sense develops through caution and experience. This lack of caution and experience results in making more mistakes during the learning stage. Unfortunately, in some cases, most teens fail to learn from their mistakes.
It takes only a split second for a car to careen off the road, a risk the driver makes when taking his/her eyes off the road. Besides eating and chatting with passengers, teen drivers are more likely to get into a crash while they are talking on their cell phones or texting.
The risk of accidents increases tenfold at night when visibility is significantly reduced. If teen drivers are engaged on their cell phone, the bright screen light from their cell phones can be blinding and reduce visibility when switching their eyes from their phone to the dark road ahead of them. This leads to crashes, which can prove fatal for themselves and their passengers.
If used properly, seatbelts reduce the risk of fatalities for front seat passengers by an average of 45%. Those who don’t wear seatbelts are more likely to be ejected during a crash, which is more likely to prove fatal.
However, unlike experienced drivers, inexperienced and impulsive teenagers rarely buckle. According to statistics, the teenage demographic has the lowest rate of proper seatbelt usage among all age groups.
Even experienced drivers cannot give the road their complete focus if they are drunk behind the wheel. Since teens are more likely to indulge in drinking, they are arrested more often for driving under the influence (DUI).
Besides designated drivers, teenagers are more likely to hitch a ride with a friend who is drunk, even though they are aware the driver is incapable of driving safely. Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the leading causes of fatal car crashes among teenagers.
Whether you are a teen driver who has been involved in a hit and run, or a victim of one, you need an experienced personal injury attorney in Atlanta in your corner. Get in touch with Shani Brooks today for a consultation.