Teenage Driver Accident Rates Increase Dramatically if they Own their Car, Study Shows
As an Atlanta personal injury lawyer and parent, I try to follow any new developments on issues facing teen motorists and their parents. A new study shows that teen motorists who own their cars have a higher risk of accidents than those who have to share their car with others.
The study, conducted by experts at the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, revealed other disturbing facts. The teenage children of parents who are generally uninvolved with their driving habits are at greater risk than those who stay informed about their teen’s whereabouts.
According to the study data, 25 percent of teen motorists who didn’t have to share their car with others were involved in accidents, while only 10 percent of teen motorists who had to share their car were involved in an accident. So, why does owning a car increase the risk of accidents so significantly for teen motorists? Researchers believe it’s because they feel “entitled” to their own car, and thus making them less careful while driving. As an Atlanta personal injury lawyer, and former teenager, I have have to agree. Driving is not a right, but a privilege. A teen who owns a car is more likely to feel no real obligation or responsibility to another that accompanies its use. On the other hand, sharing a car generally entails asking parents for the keys. Parents are then more likely to be aware of driving habits and their teen's whereabouts.
The statistics are certainly disturbing. Each year, more than 5,000 people die in accidents involving teen motorists. Roughly 3,000 of those fatalities are teen drivers. In fact,motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for American teenagers. It is nice to know that there is something we, as parents, can do to reduce risks that our teen drivers face. Parents can and must get more involved in order to reduce these terrible tragedies. Tracking devices are a great option to help in making teens accountable.
Observing traffic rules is very important for all countries. A large percentage of road accidents can be reduced if traffic rules are followed meticulously. Wearing head gear, most of fatal head injuries in case of a two wheeler rider will be reduced. Imposing stringent rules on two wheeler riders by the traffic authorities to wear fully protected helmets is one way of reducing fatal injuries. Similarly, inflexible rules have to be devised for, three wheelers, four wheelers and other type of vehicle users. Here is a very good link for this.
http://www.accidentsdirect.com/