Teen Drivers At Higher Risk For Car Accidents
by
Christopher Hoffmann on Nov. 06, 2014
Accident & Injury Car Accident Accident & Injury Personal Injury Accident & Injury
Summary: Going back to school is a busy time for students; it is also a busy time for emergency services as there are a number of car accidents involving teen drivers.
According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, automobile accidents are a leading cause of fatalities among teenagers.
Although people in the age group of 15 to 24-years-old represent 14
percent of the total population in the United States, they are
responsible for over 58 percent of the cost of automobile-related
injuries which amount to $26 billion in damages.
At Risk For Fatal Car Accidents
Teenage drivers are considered at high risk for automobile accidents resulting in serious to fatal injuries. The main reason which can be attributed towards so many accidents is that teenagers are more likely to be distracted when behind the wheel. Texting and other newer technologies are a main cause of distractions among teenage drivers. The National Highway Traffic Administration has indicated that 10 percent of all drivers in the age group of 15 to 19 years who were involved in fatal car crashes were distracted at the time of the accident.
- Among high school students nationwide, 32.8 percent have e-mailed or were texting while driving a car.
- Talking on a cell phone slows the reaction time of a teenager to that of a 70-year-old and doubles the likelihood of an accident.
- Largest percentage of distracted drivers falls below the age of 20-years-old.
- 56 percent of teenage drivers admit they have talked on a cell phone while driving.
- 13 percent of teenage drivers admit they have texted while driving a car.
- 34 percent of teenagers between 16 and 17-years-old admit they have sent and responded to text messages while driving.
- 48 percent of kids between 12 and 17-years-old admit that they have been in a car while the driver has been texting.
- 57 percent of all teenagers killed in car crashes have been the teen drivers themselves.
Texting and Driving
It is crucial that the distraction caused by cell phones be removed when a novice driver is behind the wheel. There is an initiative being taken by GHSA along with education institutes for the ‘back to school’ period so that distracted driving is discouraged. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted teen, seek legal help from The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.
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