Managing Partner
Do you find yourself feeling nervous every time you think about your teen getting behind the wheel of a car? There’s a good reason for that. Car accidents are a leading cause of death among teenagers in the US. Here’s what you need to know about the top factors that contribute to car accidents involving teens and what you can do to keep your kid from becoming a statistic.
Common Causes of Car Crashes Involving Teen Drivers
Young drivers lack experience and often take risks that most older drivers know to avoid. Teen crash statistics show that age and inexperience often make a dangerous mix. Below are some of the most common reasons teen drivers crash:
- Inexperience behind the wheel: Teen drivers do not have the same road experience as adults. As a result, they often struggle to judge distance, speed, and road conditions. When something unexpected happens, they might react too slowly or make the wrong move. Many crashes involving teens happen in the first few months after they get their licenses, before they’ve had time to build solid driving habits.
- Driving with teen passengers: Teen drivers often feel pressure to take risks when their friends ride with them. Having teenage passengers in the car can lead to more distractions, louder conversations, and even peer pressure to speed or ignore traffic laws. Studies show that teen crash rates increase with each additional young passenger.
- Nighttime and weekend driving: The risk of a deadly crash increases when teens drive at night or on weekends. Visibility drops after dark, and many teens struggle to stay alert during late hours. Friday and Saturday nights often involve more traffic, more distractions, and more drivers under the influence. About half of all fatal crashes involving teens happen between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Distracted driving: Cell phones, music, and conversations with passengers can all pull a teen driver’s attention away from the road. Some teens also try to multitask by eating, adjusting stereo controls, or looking at GPS directions while driving. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a devastating crash.
- Speeding and reckless driving: Some teens drive too fast, especially if they feel overconfident or want to impress their peers. They might also follow other cars too closely or change lanes without checking blind spots. These behaviors leave little room for error. If something happens suddenly, a speeding teen driver might not have time to slow down or stop safely. Male teen drivers are especially likely to speed.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Some teens choose to drive after drinking or using drugs. Alcohol and marijuana both affect coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Mixing drugs or alcohol with driving puts the teen driver and everyone else on the road at risk.
Safety Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers
As a parent, you can take several steps to help your teen stay safe on the road. Start by setting clear rules to limit night driving, restrict the number of passengers, and always require seat belts. Georgia’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws already set some limits, but you can add your own rules to match your teen’s needs. Be consistent and explain why each rule matters.
Supervise your teen as much as possible during the learning stage. Give them practice in different road, weather, and traffic conditions. Don’t just stick to easy routes. The more real-world experience they get with you in the car, the better prepared they’ll be alone.
You can also use tools to monitor your teen’s driving. Some apps and in-car devices can track speed, hard braking, and phone use. Many also give feedback to both you and your teen, which can help you start useful conversations.
Try to pick a car with strong safety ratings for your teen to drive. If possible, avoid older vehicles that lack newer safety features. Finally, create a driving agreement with your teen by setting rules in writing and agreeing on what will happen if your teen breaks them.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Attorney
If your teen was hurt in a car accident, contact Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm today. We offer free initial consultations and can talk with you about what steps to take next.
