The most common cause of death for teenagers are car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that 9 teenagers die everyday from car accident injuries. Teen drivers are also 4 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than an adult over the age of 35. While fatalities have decreased from car accidents due to safer cars, seat belt laws and graduated licenses– Still around 4000 teens are killed each year in accidents. How do we decrease this number?
Where do most car accidents occur?
According to the Department of Transportation, most car accidents occur within 25 miles of one’s home. For teenage drivers this is normally pinned down to commuting to and from school, visiting friends, and hanging out at local shopping malls. It is also reported that a teenager is 50% more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident within their first year of driving. Inexperience kills.
Why Are Teens Involved In More Accidents?
The average teen driver does not have the requisite driving skills or the decision making skills of an adult. Teens are more likely to drive over the speed limited, and underestimate road hazards. Teen drivers are also easily distracted by the radio, their cellphones and their passengers. Graduated Drivers License laws aim to prevent accidents by reducing the amount of passengers a teen driver can have.
How Do We Decrease Teen Car Accident Deaths?
Better education is the key. The current drivers license requirements are so simple that anyone can pass them. It is up to concerned parents to enroll their teens into defensive driving courses that will teach a teen how to respond to an emergency situation on the road. Driving skills aren’t the only thing that must be improved, teens also need to know that driving is a huge responsibility and irresponsible driving can easily result in injury or death.