The U.S. National Institutes of Health conducted an assessment of teen driving by tracking 42 teen drivers and their parents in Virginia during the first 18 months of their license. The vehicles had cameras, and a system that collected data on acceleration, mileage and GPS positioning.
The teens were involved in 37 accidents, and the parents only had two. Near-crash statistics were 242 for the teens and 32 for the parents. Teens were five more times likely to engage in risky behavior than adults. Teens took corners 25 to 30 times more sharply than the parents did. Not only did teens enjoy reckless driving, but also loved texting or talking on their cell phones while driving.
Even after their accidents, teens still took chances while driving. Their driving improved over time not because the teenagers drove safer, but they learned to control the car more during dangerous driving.
When a parent was in the car, the study found that accident rates dropped dramatically to levels of the parent group.
New drivers are 12 times more likely to be involved in an accident during the first month of driving than they will be a year later. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death of 15-20 year olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Even though teens represent only 14 percent of drivers, they account for 30 percent of all accidents.
If you have been the victim of a teen car accident, our Dallas car accident lawyers can help you with the representation you deserve. Contact Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP today.
