Many teens look forward to the summer after they turn 16 and get their driver’s licenses. With a new sense of freedom and independence, they hit the roads to go to the beach, attend concerts, hang out with friends, or just ride around without a care in the world.
It’s important not to let your teen driver get caught up in the carefree atmosphere of summer when they are behind the wheel. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is notoriously known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” because of high rates of fatal teen driving accidents.
Here are a few statistics to put this into perspective:
On average, 260 teens are killed each month during the summer, a 26% increase in teen accident fatalities compared to the rest of the year
Teenagers have the highest crash rate of any age group
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of fatalities for teens
Risk Factors for Teens Crashes
There are several factors that can play a role in the rise of teen accidents during the summer.
Distracted Driving. This includes the use of cell phones, other passengers in the vehicle, or eating and drinking.
Speeding. Teens are more likely to speed and drive recklessly during the summer.
Driving Under the Influence. Knowing they don’t have school to worry about, teens during the summer are more likely to drink alcohol with friends or take illegal substances.
Inexperience. Teenagers don’t have multitudes of driving experience, so many accidents can simply come down to a lack of practice and not knowing how to maneuver a specific situation.
Decision Making. Many teens may lack the judgment necessary to always drive with the utmost level of care, as well as the capability to make split-second decisions behind the wheel.
Preventing Accidents
Limit Their Passengers. Surprisingly, passengers are the top distraction for teens. The more passengers within the car, the higher the risk of an accident. Due to this fact, limit the number of people that your teen can drive and ensure they abide by any laws that prevent underage passengers after immediately obtaining a driver’s license.
Enforce Driving Curfews. Driving at night is inherently more difficult than driving in the daylight, but especially so for inexperienced teen drivers. Not to mention, more drinking and partying occurs when the sun goes down.
Set a Good Example. Whether you know it or not, your teen looks to you for guidance on what to do and what not to do behind the wheel. If you text and drive or engage in other reckless driving activities, your teen may believe it’s acceptable for them to do so, too. Always drive with the vigilance that you want your teen driver to follow.
Every parent hopes that their teen driver will avoid a car accident, but it’s always better to be prepared and teach your children what to do immediately after a crash.
If your teen driver is injured in a car accident, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley. Our Northern California car accident attorneys are here to stand in your corner during these difficult times and help you and your teen obtain the compensation needed to heal and move forward.
Contact our firm at (530) 413-0245 to schedule your free consultation.