Make sure that your teen knows what they’re doing before they get behind the wheel. Teen car accidents are a serious matter which should concern every parent. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association says that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between 15 and 19-years-old. Like many other crashes, those that involve teens are often preventable. A teen accident is a very serious matter and authorities must do whatever they can to prevent such traffic collisions. If you were injured as a result of the negligence of a teenager contact a Rhode Island car accident lawyer.
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The most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD) are from 2012. In that year, 2,823 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 died in motor vehicle crashes. About two out of every three of those teens were male. June and July were the months with the highest number of crash deaths, and those were more frequent between 9:00 p.m. and midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. If teen passengers are present, the risk of a fatal crash increases. That risk increases with higher numbers of passengers.
The sobering statistics
Of the male teen drivers who died in crashes in 2012, about 25 percent of them had been consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel. In 2013, the blood alcohol level of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes was over .08 in 17 percent of the deaths. A stunning 71 percent of the teenage drivers who drank, drove and then were killed weren’t wearing a seat belt.
How can we prevent teen car crashes?
More than half of all teens who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 weren’t wearing seat belts. According to a study cited by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, serious crash-related injuries and deaths can be reduced by about 50 percent by using seat belts. Zero tolerance laws have also brought an awareness of drinking and driving to teens, most likely due to the consequences of license suspensions or revocations for convictions of violating those zero tolerance laws. Graduated licensing programs have been recognized by all states for building the skills of teen drivers, particularly since they limit teen driving during high risk conditions.
Teenage drivers are required to follow the same rules of the road as experienced adult drivers. Should a teen driver cause an accident in Rhode Island, the same rules of negligence apply to that teen as apply to adults too. If you or somebody in your family was injured as a result of a teen driver, you’ll want a consultation with a qualified Rhode Island personal injury lawyer. Teen drivers have adult responsibilities.
Teen accident stats
- “17,321 teen drivers in Pennsylvania were involved in crashes
- 2,526 teens were killed in crashes nationwide
- Nine percent of teenage motor accidents involved distracted driving
- In 2017, motorcycle riders aged 15-20 were killed, an 11 percent increase from 2016
- 1,830 drivers aged 15-20 were killed in alcohol-related crashes
- 22 percent of teen drivers were not wearing a restraint during a crash, but account for 57 percent of fatalities” Edgar Snyder
Teenage car accident statistics can provide insights into the risks and challenges that young drivers face on the road. It’s important to note that these statistics may vary by region and change over time. Here are some key statistics related to teenage car accidents in the United States:
- Higher Crash Rates: Teenagers have higher crash rates per mile driven compared to other age groups. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to make errors that lead to accidents.
- Fatalities: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. In 2019, there were 2,375 teenagers (aged 13-19) who died in motor vehicle accidents.
- Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL): GDL systems have been shown to reduce teen crash rates. These systems typically include restrictions on night driving and the number of passengers in the car.
- Distracted Driving: Teenagers are more likely to engage in distracted driving, which includes activities like texting while driving. Distracted driving is a major contributor to accidents among teenagers.
- Alcohol Use: Drinking and driving is a significant issue among teenagers. In 2019, 24% of the drivers aged 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their system.
- Seat Belt Use: Teenagers have lower rates of seat belt use compared to adults, which increases the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
- Speeding: Teenagers are more likely to speed, which is a contributing factor in many accidents involving young drivers.
- Gender Differences: Statistics show that male teenagers are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents compared to female teenagers.
- Risk by Age: Crash risk is particularly high in the first six months after teenagers receive their driver’s licenses.
- Passenger Risk: Teenagers are at a higher risk of accidents when carrying passengers, especially other teenagers. The more passengers in the car, the greater the risk.
It’s essential for parents and educators to be aware of these statistics to promote safe driving practices and to educate teenagers about responsible and safe driving habits. Additionally, government agencies and organizations work to implement strategies to reduce teenage car accidents and improve road safety for young drivers.