Each year, the state of Georgia puts out a public service announcement about the risks teen drivers face heading into the summer.
Coined by AAA, the “100 Deadliest Days” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when teen crashes peak. During the summer, teens have more free time and hang out more often with their friends. More time on the road combined with less experience and distracting passengers can create a deadly combination.
Teen drivers are more likely to cause a fatal crash due to a lack of experience, skills, and decision-making ability. They tend to speed, make mistakes, not wear seatbelts, and get distracted easily by electronic devices and people in the car.
Teen Driver Accident Facts & Stats
Teens and young adults are more likely to engage in risky driving decisions and dangerous driving habits. While summer is a time for relaxation and fun, it is not the time to slack off behind the wheel.
- Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens. Teens also have the highest crash rate of any age group.
- In 2018, teen drivers were involved in nearly a million crashes, which resulted in 4,000 fatalities and more than 350,000 serious injuries.
- Teens are two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in risky behavior when driving with a teenage peer than when driving alone. This likelihood increases to three times when there are multiple passengers.
- About 60% of car accidents involving teens are caused by distracted driving. Passengers were cited as the greatest distraction, followed by talking and texting on a cell phone.
- Seatbelts were not worn in 33% of deaths and severe injuries involving teen drivers.
- Speed is a factor in one-third of fatal teen crashes.
- Teens tend to crash more on Fridays than on any other day.
With Atlanta’s roads turning increasingly dangerous in recent years, parents, adult mentors, and even teens themselves need to remain vigilant in encouraging young drivers to practice positive and safe habits.
How to Help Teens Reduce the Risk of Being Involved in a Crash
One of the best ways to reduce risky driving behaviors in teens is to model good driving habits and enforce seatbelt usage. A survey by the National Safety Council reported that 91% of parents have handled their phones in front of their teens while driving.
Adults need to practice what they believe in if they want their children to take them seriously. If you don’t want your teen to speed or run yellow lights, then you need to set a good example.
Other ways to reduce a teen’s chance of being involved in a wreck include:
- Have ongoing conversations as needed about the rules of the road, how to respond to unexpected situations or mechanical problems, and the responsibilities that come with getting behind the wheel. Remind your teen that driving is a skill that requires complete concentration. Talk to them about the increased danger of driving during the 100 Deadliest Days.
- Familiarize yourself with state and federal driving laws so you can explain them to your teen. Set rules on the number of passengers in the vehicle and the hours that your teen can drive. Georgia is a hands-free state, so make sure they are aware of not only the dangerous consequences of distracted driving but the legal penalties for manipulating a phone while at the wheel.
- Enroll them in driving education courses. Driving courses are safe environments for teens to learn alongside their peers from qualified instructors. Many offer driving simulators, parking lot courses, one-on-one training, and informative research to help improve their driving abilities.
- Set and enforce consequences for failing to drive safely. Distracted driving, speeding, driving while intoxicated, and making reckless maneuvers need to be corrected before someone gets hurt or killed. Consider limiting access to their phone, vehicle usage, or places they can go.
- Encourage them to call you if they are in a bad driving situation. A teen should feel safe doing the right thing by calling for help.
Driving on Georgia Roads and Interstates
Even if your teen has their license, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are ready to handle the stresses of navigating Atlanta interstates like I-85, I-75, or I-285. Make sure to take a few practice trips during low-volume hours so that they can gain valuable experience and a confidence boost.
While driving on the interstate is risky, your teen has a much higher chance of being involved in a crash on suburban highways and thoroughfares. Many drivers speed, run red lights, fail to yield, or drive aggressively. Practice driving on main roads around town and observing the various speed limits and potential dangers at intersections.
Limit Nighttime Driving
The fatal crash rate doubles at night for teens. Normal risks during the day become magnified at night, especially in unfamiliar areas. In Georgia, new drivers must have at least six hours of supervised night driving experience before getting their driver’s license. Even then, 16 to 17-year-olds have a mandatory curfew from midnight to 5 a.m.
Limit Passengers
Limit the number of people in the car with a teen while they are learning to drive. This includes both family members and friends. Passengers are the number one cause of distracted driving accidents, especially for teen drivers.
Teach your teen that they need to keep their eyes on the road at all times. They should not look over at a person in the front passenger seat, even when that person is talking to them. If a friend tries to show them something on their phone, your teen should ask them to show it to them later once they’re done driving.
If Your Teen Was Injured in a Crash That Wasn’t Their Fault
Even if your teen practices safe driving habits, they are still at risk from other drivers. Perhaps another teen driver or an adult who was distracted crashed into their vehicle. Maybe they were a passenger at the time of the wreck.
Regardless, if your teen was involved in a crash and severely injured as a result, you can file a personal injury claim on their behalf. Doing so ensures your family isn’t taken advantage of by the insurance company and left with mountains of medical debt to pay off.
Gary Martin Hays & Associates specialize in helping Georgia families through the aftermath of a car accident. We get you the maximum compensation possible to cover medical costs, property damage, and any lost wages if your teen was working at the time of the accident.
Schedule a free consultation for your family today to get the legal assistance you need fast.
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