What Parents and Teens Should Know About Young Drivers
For teens, getting their license is a key to independence. Unfortunately, car wrecks are the leading cause of death for teens. In fact, half of teens will get in an accident before graduating high school.
What are some of the factors associated with teen driving accidents?
- Speeding;
- Lack of Seatbelt Use (teens have the lowest seat belt use rate);
- Alcohol Use;
- Nighttime Driving (almost half of teen fatalities occur between 9pm-6am);
- Weekend Driving (about half of crashes occur between Friday morning, and Sunday night);
- Distractions (more than half of teen drivers have admitted to using their phone while on the road).
The most at risk teens are:
- Males, who have 2 times the death rate compared to females;
- Teens driving with other teens;
- Newly licensed teens who are driving within 18 months of getting their license.
The biggest factor associated with teen accidents is inexperience.
Helping to keep your teen safe can start with 5 basic safety rules.
- No cell phones while driving
- No extra passengers
- No speeding
- No alcohol or drugs
- Always wear your seatbelt
When young adults learn proper safety from the beginning, it can reduce the risk of an accident.
Cantini Law has over 35 years of experience advocating for clients who have suffered injuries following a motor vehicle accident. With 5 locations serving NS, NB, and PEI, contact Cantini for a free consultation at 1-800-606-2529.
