Last month the National Safety
Council (“NSC”) issued a press release regarding teen safety. The
report stated that car crashes are the leading
cause of death for teens in the U.S., and teens crash at three times the rate
of more experienced drivers. Possible reasons for the spike in these crashes
include:
- Summer driving tends to be more
recreational and not as purposeful, such as driving to see friends rather
than driving to
school or work - Teens could be carrying friends
more frequently and passengers increase the risk of a fatal crash
involving a teen driver by at least 44 percent - Teens may stay out later at
night, when crash risk is higher - With warmer weather and clearer
conditions, teens may be tempted to speed - More drivers are on the roads.
Americans drove more than 780 billion miles between June, July and August
in 2013, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
There’s a lot at stake here and it’s
not just teen lives. Their erratic driving can affect the lives of other
drivers, passengers and pedestrians, regardless of age. I think one step would
be more intensive classes and possibly raising the age to drive to 17. Another
step could be stricter penalties if a teenager is ticketed for texting and
driving, especially if a car accident or injuries from a car crash are a result
of the texting. Parents should also take an active role and drive with their
children to ensure they are doing the right things behind the wheel and
following the rules of the road.
If you or someone you love has been
seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then
call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.