Over 5,000 teenaged drivers will die this year as a result of fatal injuries caused by an automobile accident, while another 400,000 will be seriously injured. Teenagers in the 16-20 age category are at a higher risk than any other group for being involved in a car accident, and while teenaged drivers are only 10 percent of the overall population, they account for over 12 percent of all fatal car accidents. If you’ve ever wondered why insurance rates are so astronomically high for male teenaged drivers, it could be due in part that the death rate due to auto accidents for teen male drivers is more than one and a half times that of their female counterparts.
These young male drivers are also much more likely to drink while driving, drive at excessive speeds and drive without wearing a safety belt. The first couple of years after a teenager gets his or her license is the riskiest period of time during the teen years. Inexperience and recklessness create a volatile combination—one that is very difficult to fix with new teenage drivers taking to the road every day.
Distracted Driving Among Teens
Even though there are more laws being passed against texting or using cell phones while driving, teenagers are among the worst offenders. Because teenagers tend to believe they are bulletproof, they may not always pay such close attention to the laws designed to keep them and others on the road safe. Teens are tied to their phones in ways few adults can understand, and it’s up to the parents to impress upon them the seriousness of texting and driving. Quite often there are numerous other teenaged passengers inside the car being driven by a teenager which multiplies the distractions.
The Responsibility of the Parents
When all is said and done it is the responsibility of the teen’s parents to teach proper driving techniques and practice those techniques every day. Children who grow up observing their parents driving in a consistently safe manner are more likely to do so themselves when they are teenage drivers. If the parents see they are not driving responsibly, it is up to them to take away the driving privileges until proper safety practices are put into place. Your teen’s life could depend on it.
Graduated License Programs Can Prevent Teenage Accidents in Mississippi
Graduated driver licensing programs have proven quite successful in allowing teenagers to get the experience they need before they are fully licensed. A graduated driver licensing program delays a full license for first-time drivers while they drive in low-risk conditions and no more than one passenger. First year drivers are also prohibited from driving after midnight, which is typically a high-risk time for young drivers to be on the road. Programs such as this have led to an almost 39% reduction in fatal car accidents among teens, however no all states are currently on board with the graduated license programs for teens.
Tips to keep Teens Safe in Mississippi
Set limits on after-dark driving for your teen, especially on the freeway, and set a strict limit on the number of friends your teen is allowed to have in the car with them. Maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding texting and driving and require seat belts to be worn at all times. Make sure your teenage driver fully understands the impact of driving while intoxicated as well as the consequences of underage drinking.
If you’ve been the victim of an accident due to an inexperienced driver or if your teen has been involved in an accident, contact a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable about the potential consequences of teenage driving.
At Barrett Law, PLLC, a dedicated Mississippi car accident lawyer from our law firm is committed to representing Mississippi car accident victims with the compassion and personal attention that has allowed our law firm to develop a leading reputation throughout Mississippi. We have been helping Mississippi car accident victims in Lexington and across Mississippi for over 75 years so call Barrett Law, PLLC today at (662) 834-2376.