Ever wonder why teen drivers have extra restrictions when they first start driving? Are you also wondering why they have a persistent reputation as poor drivers, even so?
If you’ve ever felt that this reputation is unfair, just take a look at the following facts:
1. For those between 16 years old and 20 years old, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that nothing takes more lives than motor vehicle accidents.
2. Most teen accidents happen at night or late in the evening.
3. The odds of an accident go up, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reports, when teens have friends in the car with them.
4. Most high school seniors — 71 percent, per a study that was carried out — said they used a cellphone while behind the wheel.
5. Despite their high crash rates, teens feel confident, anyway, especially when they are seniors. Seniors reported more confidence in their abilities than even younger drivers, suggesting that they feel two or three years of experience is enough.
6. This confidence can breed recklessness. For instance, a study found that 18 percent of high school sophomores admitted to breaking the speed limit, compared to 35 percent of seniors.
7. The latest data out right now is from 2015, and it showed that 1,886 teen drivers — counting those between 15 years old and 20 years old — passed away in car accidents. That was a stark 9 percent rise from 2014, when 1,723 such drivers were killed.
Hopefully this helps to shed some light on teen driving risks. If you’re hit and injured by a young, inexperienced driver, you need to know if you have a right to compensation.
Source: Insurance Information Institute, “Teen Drivers,” accessed Aug. 18, 2017
