As soon as kids hit their teen years, things start to change. They have so much to look forward to—high school, new friends, and getting into PG-13 movies. But the ultimate goal is set at age 16—the age that most kids get their license. There is nothing like being out on the road by yourself for the first time. Being 16 is being free and careless, just hanging with your friends and having fun. However, as most know and have experienced, teenagers cruising into their freedom often turns to cruising right into another vehicle.
Unfortunately, teenagers are almost at the top of the list of risks on the roadway. Their carefree and fun-loving attitudes don’t always relate well with their driving responsibilities. Their attention isn’t as centered because they have passengers, cell phones, and music blaring from the stereo. The facts are shocking and, for teenagers, hard to grasp. Startling Statistics A teenager’s risk of crashing is doubled when just one passenger is with them. When any more passengers are present, the risk goes up to four and five times. On top of that, 40% of teen drivers admit to texting while operating the vehicle. There is also the speeding factor. Of all the car accidents this year, 39% of male drivers and 26% of female drivers were speeding at the time of their fatal crash.
The statistics get even more unsettling when alcohol is brought into the picture. Underage drinking happens daily, and it makes its way into the car and onto the road as well. A remarkable 25% of fatal crashes involved alcohol abuse. Wearing a safety belt can reduce the risk of death in a crash by up to 50%. However, two out of three teens in fatal accidents lost their lives because they were not wearing their safety belt. If You Are Injured Irresponsible teens are loose canons. Everyone should take extra care on the road knowing that reckless people are out there, especially teens. If you are a victim of a negligent teen driver, contact an experienced Santa Monica car accident attorney at Steinberg and Spencer Injury Lawyers at (800) 989-6385 for a free legal consultation. Get the compensation you deserve.
Car and Truck Accidents
Bike and Pedestrian Accidents
Head and Brain Injury
Slip and Fall
Dog Bite Injuries
Wrongful Death
On-The-Job and Work Accidents
