Statistically, compared to every other age group, young people ages 16-19 have the highest risk of being involved in an automobile accident. Young people account for roughly 30% of the total cost of auto accident-related injuries and are nearly three times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a fatal accident.1
At Wood, Craig & Avery, we listen to countless tragic stories of accident victims in the greater Atlanta area. In many cases, these accidents are entirely avoidable, caused by inattentive and inexperienced drivers. Below are some tips to help educate your teenager on safe driving practices.
Warn of the dangers of distracted driving
We recently discussed the dangers of texting while driving, and included a very informative video published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The most alarming statistic released by their in-depth study was that distracted driving, including texting while driving, was a factor in 6 out of 10 accidents involving teenagers.2
Limit night driving
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, approximately 40% of fatal crashes involving young drivers occur after 9 p.m.3 Consider setting restrictions on driving at night for your teenager. This restriction can be especially beneficial for large metro areas such as Atlanta, where roadways remain very busy at night.
Limit passengers
A surprising and incredibly alarming statistic concerning car accidents involving teenagers is that young drivers have a 300% greater risk of being involved in an accident when driving with 3+ passengers.3
Consider a monitoring device
With the proliferation of smartphones, vehicle monitoring devices are now cheaper than ever before. These devices can flag dangerous driving behavior, such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking, as well as violations of preset time and distance limits.
Whatever methods you employ, educating your teenager on safe driving practices will go a long way to making our roadways safer. As always, if you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, give the lawyers of Wood, Craig & Avery a call at . We can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
