Car accidents occur by the millions each year, and even the most cautious drivers can become the victims of serious crashes. You have likely heard arguments as to the safety of some drivers, and risky driving engaged in by other driver groups. Some people claim that older drivers should not be allowed to drive because they are slow to react and create a hazard. Others assert that young drivers are the most dangerous and the driving age should be increased because youths do not take the risk of car accidents seriously enough. The following is a look at the safety of two driving groups: teen drivers and older drivers. This analysis offers some answers as to which group is the most dangerous drivers.
Statistics Point to Teens as Most Dangerous
Statistics concerning car accidents provide perhaps the most vital look into the safety of particular driving groups. According to statistics, teen drivers, especially male teenagers, are the most dangerous users of the road. While older drivers are involved in large numbers of accidents, teen drivers far exceed their accident rates. The evidence is below:
- Teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 are involved in nine times as many crashes per mile driven than middle aged drivers.
- Those over 80 years old are involved in five and a half times more accidents than middle aged drivers.
- Teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are the most likely age group to be involved in any sort of car accident.
- Drivers in their 60s are not any more likely than drivers in their 30s to be in an accident.
- Boys between the ages of 16 and 19 are twice as likely to be in a fatal accident than girls of the same age.
- While those over the age of 75 do have an increased fatality rate, studies show that this can be attributed to medical complications involved with the injuries and is not related to the group’s overall accident incidence.
Assessing the Risk to Teen Drivers
These frightening statistics involving teen drivers have lead many safety experts to examine why the teen accident rate is so high. Studies have concluded that part of the reason for so many teen accidents actually involves the brain of the teenagers themselves. Teen brains are still developing and these immature brains lead teens to impulsive decision making. When you combine a lack of driving experience with impulsive tendencies, you create a recipe for disaster. So far, studies show that:
- Teens are more likely to speed.
- Teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as tailgating and passing.
- Teens have the lowest rate of seatbelt usage.
- Teens are likely underestimate danger on the roadways or not recognize it whatsoever.
- Teens drive distracted more often than any other age group.
Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Fighting For Your Recovery
Thousands of car accidents will be caused by teen drivers each year, and many careful drivers will become the victims. If you are injured in a car accident anywhere in Mississippi, the Mississippi Car Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help. Our team of skilled and dedicated automobile accident attorneys will carefully investigate the cause of your accident, gathering evidence of negligence on the part of the at fault driver. We will then fight for your full recovery, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and non-economic damages. Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys.