Some Facts About Teen Car Crashes

It is common for parents to cringe at the thought of their children reaching the age of 16 and beginning to drive. The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher for the drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 than any other age group. Per mile driven, drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers 20 and older to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash. Thus, it is no surprise that In the U.S., motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Every day, six teenagers between the ages of 16 to 19 die from injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents.

In 2014, 2,270 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 16 and 19 were killed and 221,313 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 represented only 7% of the U.S. population, they accounted for 11% of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries, which amounted to $10 billion.

Among teen drivers, males, newly-licensed drivers, and teen passengers are at an especially high risk to be involved in a motor vehicle accident:

• In 2014, the motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers ages 16 to 19 was more than two times that of females.
• The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers. This risk increases as the number of teen passengers increases.
• The risk of involvement in a motor vehicle crash is particularly high during the first months a teenager has his or her license. The accident rate per mile driven is three times higher for 16-17 year olds than 18-19 year olds.

Some of the factors putting teen drivers at risk:

• Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate or not be able to recognize dangerous and hazardous situations. Teens are also more likely than adults to make critical decision errors that result in serious accidents.
• Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and tailgate. The presence of male teenage passengers seems to increase the likelihood of both of these behaviors.
• Teens have among the lowest rates of seat belt use. In 2015, only 61% of high school students said that they always wear seat belts when riding as a passenger with others.

Half of all teenage drivers will be involved in a car crash before they graduate from high school. Teenagers who continue to practice driving with their parents reduce their risk of involvement in a motor vehicle crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has five rules for parents to instill in young drivers known as the “5 to Drive”:

• No cell phones while driving
• No extra passengers
• No speeding
• No alcohol
• No driving or riding without a seat belt

If you or a loved one, including a teen driver, has suffered any type of injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident, contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE and you don’t pay anything unless we win. Our attorneys, past and present, have represented motor vehicle accident victims for 110 years.