Covington area parents of teenagers know that their children do not always make the best decisions. In fact, a person’s brain is not fully developed until they are in their 20s which is probably no surprise to parents. Most of the time the bad decisions a teenager does not cause serious harm to anyone and it is just a dumb mistake. But occasionally a teenager can cause a serious car accident due to their negligence.
AAA has released a report warning drivers about the summer months and teen drivers. AAA has labeled the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. In the past five years nearly 3,500 people have been killed in a car accident involving a teen driver. Teens are a vulnerable driver group who have not had years of driving experience to help them make good decisions. During the summer teens are out and about more often, driving with their friends, to work, etc. and some may engage in dangerous driving activities.
One reckless behavior teen drivers can engage in is speeding. Half of teenage drivers admit to speeding on residential streets while 40% admit to speeding on freeways. Teens can also make bad decisions regarding driving after they have been drinking. During the summer, teens are spending more times with their friends which can result in alcohol use. If a teen drives after they have been drinking, they are putting their lives along with everyone else they meet on the road in danger. Teen drivers also take part in distracted driving activities. Over half of teens admit to reading a text or email while driving while 40% admit to sending a text. It is believed that distracted driving is a major cause of accidents, but it can be underreported due to the difficulty of detecting distraction in a crash.
It is important for teen drivers to understand the importance of driving safely. If a teen has caused a serious accident they can be held liable for their negligence.
