Teenagers can hardly wait to get their driver’s licenses and taste the freedom of the open road. After spending time driving on a learner’s permit, they’re excited to finally have the opportunity to drive alone. Parents, on the other hand, are not quite as excited and many are filled with anxiety and dread over their child’s newfound freedom.
Unfortunately, parents are right to be worried. According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health and led by the National Institutes of Health, teen drivers are 8x more likely to be involved in a crash in the first three months after getting their license. They’re also 4x more likely to engage in risky driving behavior, such as rapid acceleration, speeding, and hard turns. Teens on learner’s permits didn’t take these risks and didn’t get into as many accidents.
To conduct the study, researchers collected data from cameras and software installed in 131 participants’ vehicles in Virginia. They compiled data about how parents drove compared to their teenage drivers under similar driving conditions and on similar roads. Their research concluded that teenagers may benefit from a more gradual increase in driving privileges instead of a sudden jump between learners’ permit rules and full independent driving. Parents should consider a gradual decrease in their adult supervision during the first few months of driving alone.
Recent Palm Beach Accident Highlights Teen Driving Dangers
A recent car accident in Palm Beach Gardens highlights the dangers of teenage drivers. In November 2018, three people were involved in a fatal accident near Northlake Boulevard and Beeline Highway in Palm Beach Gardens when 17-year-old driver ran a red light and slammed into another car. The driver of the other car was killed, while the 17-year-old driver and his 14-year-old passenger sustained injuries.
Teens and Risky Driving
When are teens driving most dangerously? Surprisingly, the majority of the risky driving behaviors occurred during the daytime and when weather was most optimal. When weather was poor or when it was dark, most teens used caution and practiced safe driving. This shows that teenagers are choosing to drive riskily and push limits, since they’re capable of driving safely when conditions aren’t as favorable.
What teens drove the most dangerously? The study found no difference between boy and girl drivers while they had their learner’s permits. However, once they received their driver’s licenses, boys tended to take more risks behind the wheel than girls. In addition, it took longer for the boys to decrease this risky behavior.
Contact our West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyers Today
If your teen or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Florida, it is important to contact our law firm immediately. Our North Palm Beach car accident attorneys believe that everyone is entitled to justice after a car accident with a negligent driver. That’s why we fight aggressively to help our clients obtain the money they need to pay for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Fetterman & Associates, our North Palm Beach car accident lawyers hold negligent and reckless drivers responsible for their actions and for the harm they cause. Call us today at 561-845-2510 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you collect the money you need to put your life back together again. Call us today!
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