8 Common Causes of Teen Driver Accidents and How to Avoid Them

October 19 marked the start of National Teen Driver Safety Week, a government initiative designed to encourage safe practices for teen motorists. While we previously discussed the risks teen drivers and their parents face in our blog, it is worth taking a close look at a recently published piece by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describing eight “danger zones” which can lead to teen car accidents. The article details some of the most common causes of accidents for teen drivers, and what parents can do to keep their children safe.

So what are those danger zones?

DRIVER INEXPERIENCE

Teen drivers represent an alarmingly high number of auto-related fatalities, and a lot of that is because they are simply new to driving. According to the CDC, parents should spend between 30 and 50 hours over a six month stretch helping their teen learn how to drive on different types of roads, and in a variety of weather conditions.

DRIVING WITH TEEN PASSENGERS

According to the Washington Post, “If you add one kid in a car [driven by a teenager], you double the risk of crash. With two kids, you triple it, and with three kids, it goes up by a factor of six.” Parents are encouraged to set strict guidelines on how many passengers their children can have in the car, if any at all.

NIGHTTIME DRIVING

The inexperience of teen drivers is most apparent when combined with reduced visibility at nighttime. Curfews and time limits can help keep teens from getting into a serious accident they literally didn’t see coming.

NOT USING SEATBELTS

Seatbelts save lives, and almost everyone knows it. Requiring teen drivers to wear seatbelts cuts their risk of death in half.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

As with seatbelt use, most teens are well aware of the danger associated with distracted driving. Setting strict rules regarding phone, GPS and radio use, as well as eating, can help lower the risk of an accident.

DROWSY DRIVING

Teens wake up early, stay up late and sleep sparingly. As with nighttime driving, having guidelines regarding when a teen can drive can help lower the chances of an accident.

RECKLESS DRIVING

Teens lack the driving experience and the risk assessment skills to drive safely, which can lead to speeding, tailgating and other situations that increase the chances of an accident. Coaching teens on how to avoid these situations can lower the odds of an accident.

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Drunk driving is dangerous, but that doesn’t necessarily stop teens from doing it. Leading by example and making teens aware of the statistics regarding drunk driving can help lower the likelihood of teens putting themselves in a dangerous situation.

Mike Bottaro is the founder of The Bottaro Law Firm, a Rhode Island personal injury law firm.