If you are the parent of a teen driver or a young driver, it is crucial to understand how frequent motor vehicle crashes involving teens are and the consequences of these wrecks. Every year, many young lives are turned on end because of motor vehicle crashes and the consequences of these accidents often have a wide-reaching impact on a teen’s life, their future and their loved ones.
Sadly, too many accidents occur because of careless drivers who disregard the safety of others. Moreover, many teens have difficulty dealing with certain risks on the road due to inexperience.
Reviewing statistics on teens and accident injuries
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, roughly 285,000 teenagers in the U.S. received emergency treatment for motor vehicle crash injuries during 2018. Based on these figures, hundreds of teens sustain injuries in traffic crashes every day, and many teens pass away in these collisions as well. According to the CDC, teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are involved in motor vehicle collisions more than those of any other age group.
Reviewing risks that teens face on the road
The CDC draws attention to various risks that are especially concerning for teens, such as driving during the night, inexperience, speeding, alcohol use, and distractions (such as using your phone on the road). However, even responsible and safe teen drivers face the risk of a crash because of the negligence of others. Whether you have a teen who will start driving soon or you are worried about your safety as a young driver, focus on these risks and strategies to reduce the likelihood of an accident.
