Teen Driving Statistics

Teen Driving Statistics

Teen Driving Statistics Can Be Frightening

You might be shocked at how high your insurance rates might soar once your teen starts driving. But there’s a reason for this increase: Teen drivers are far more likely to get into accidents than are older motorists.

The numbers tell the tale: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • 2,333 drivers from the ages of 16 to 19 were killed from injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes.
  • An additional 221,313 of these young drivers were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2014 because of injuries that they suffered in motor vehicle crashes, according to the CDC.
  • Drivers from the ages of 15 to 19 represented only seven percent of the U.S. population but accounted for 11 percent of the total costs of vehicle injuries, a total of $10 billion.

Steps to Take To Reduce Teen Driver Accidents

Those are sobering statistics for parents whose teens are getting behind the wheel. The truth is, parents can’t guarantee that young drivers won’t speed, drive recklessly or get into serious accidents. But there are steps parents can take to reduce the odds that their teen drivers will injure themselves or others. Taking these steps are important; they can keep parents and their children out of court. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Parents can make sure that their teen drivers log all of the practice hours they are supposed to drive before they can apply for a license. States require that teens taking driver’s education courses log several hours of driving with a responsible adult, usually one of their parents, in the passenger seat next to them.
  2. The goal of these practice hours is to give young drivers the chance to learn how to handle different driving environments; everything from quiet rural roads and side streets to busy highways and thoroughfares.
  3. In some states, young drivers must log 50 hours before they can apply for a driver’s license. It can get tiresome to take teens out on driving trips. But parents who do allow their young drivers to cheat on this requirement are actually putting their children at risk. Those 50 hours might seem like a lot, but they allow young drivers to hone their skills.
  4. Parents should enforce the driving laws for their state that regulate young drivers when they are passengers and their kids are at the wheel. Better yet, when driving, be an example to your teens when they are passengers.
  5. If your state’s motor vehicle laws prohibit drivers to drive after a certain time of night, don’t break the rules. They may have other restrictions on teen drivers, all of which are intended to protect them. Parents who allow their young drivers to ignore these rules are putting their children at risk.
  6. Keep track of where your kids are when they’re driving. Parents might want to take advantage of tracking devices offered by many insurance companies and retailers. These devices which are attached to cars, can track how many miles drivers log, how fast they travel, where they go, and how often they slam on their brakes. Products, services, features, and costs vary by device and provider. However, these devices can be a good way for parents to electronically monitor their teen drivers’ driving habits. If parents do learn that their young motorists are driving erratically or often speeding, they can take the needed steps to change their children’s habits before anyone is hurt.

The key is for parents to work with their teen drivers. No parents want to see their children hurt in accidents. Nor do they want to see them hurt others. Accidents can lead to costly legal ramifications. If you or your child has been injured in a car crash due to someone else’s negligence, consult with a personal injury lawyer DC trusts to learn about your legal options and you can recover your damages.

Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.Thanks to our friends and contributors from The Law Firm Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. for their insight into teen driving statistics.

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