The crash rate per mile driven is twice as high for 16-year-olds as it is for 18 year olds and higher. This is an alarming number and shows us that unfortunately. a teen driver is highly susceptible to car accidents as a result of various factors. Inexperience, distractions, and lack of focus are the three main causes for teen accidents in the U.S. Lets break these three down in order to learn how teens can begin to reduce the statistics associated with teen driving.
Inexperience in teen drivers in inevitable. Building good driving habits from the start is essential in creating a safe foundation for any teen driver. Spending time with a teen while driving is a great way to monitor what habits a teen is developing. Practicing parking, lane changing, assessing traffic, and being alert are common but necessary things teen drivers should be proficient in in order to minimize their chances of an accident.
The number one cause of accidents amongst teens in the U.S. are distractions. Texting or talking on the phone while driving, changing a song or CD, eating, or engaging in excessive conversation with passengers while driving are the easiest ways to be involved in an accident. Texting or talking on the phone was the highest among 16-24 year olds. The simplest form to avoid this is to realize that no text or phone call is worth an accident, let alone someones life. Put your cell phone in a safe but reachable distance. If you must take a call, pull over to a safe location. Music is another common distraction while driving. Listining to music in the car is safe when the driver understands their focus should be on driving and focusing in on their immediate surroundings. Having your friends and family in the car can also be enjoyable and necessary, but once again, understanding that you are operating a machine and the lives of the passengers in your car is potentially in your hands should be a teen drivers mindset. Focus on driving and your surroundings instead of engaging in excessive and elaborate conversations with friends.
Focusing while driving is essential and is often underestimated as a way for teens to avoid accidents. It is when teens begin to feel comfortable behind the wheel that accidents are most likely to happen. The quick trip to the store while thinking about the shopping list as opposed to driving can easily turn catastrophic. Whether your taking a road trip or a five minute trip to the store, focus on the task at hand: driving.
Knowing what to do in the event of an accident is also very important. If you have questions about car accident lawyers las vegas, visit thewonlawyer.com. They specialize in car accidents and injuries.