Car Accidents are Leading Cause of Death for Teenagers

08 Sep Car Accidents are Leading Cause of Death for Teenagers

A new report is highlighting how dangerous distracted driving can be. Focusing on teens, the report states that this age group makes up 57 percent of all individuals killed in car crashes. The report, released by the Governors Highway Safety Association examines this endemic and offers possible solutions to help save teen lives.

The report, named Distracted and Dangerous: Helping States Keep Teens Focused on the Road, is part of the organization’s efforts to sensitize the public on the statistics behind this issue as well as steps they can use to help teens around them stay safe on the road.

Car Crashes are the Leading Cause of Death for Teens

According to the report, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15 to 20. Part of the reason this is the case is because of the rampant use of electronics and cell phones while driving. It’s impossible to keep your eyes on the road and your phone at the same time, which in the end invites trouble in the form of an auto accident. At the same time, eating, grooming, talking to friends and horsing around all play a major role in the occurrence of car accidents affecting teens. Lastly, noise created by other passengers can be particularly distracting for novice drivers who get cognitive overload, making it that much likelier for car accidents to happen. When this happens, experts like car accident lawyers should be consulted. With auto accident attorney services, your rights will be protected and you’ll be guided by a professional auto accident attorney on how to file a claim.

The report was funded by State Farm and written and researched by Pam Fischer (who is recognized nationally as a teen driving safety expert). Executive Director Jonathan Adkins oversaw the report and remarked that eliminating distraction caused by electronics and passengers can slow down and even stop this current trend. The report was released just in time for the back to school season, ensuring that teens and their parents would pay attention and take these findings to heart.

Education Initiatives Can Help

Education initiatives as well as enforcing regulations can go a long way in ensuring that teen driving safety becomes a priority for those affected. In fact, states such as New York are leading the way when it comes to enforcing rules; this state will soon have the toughest penalties with regard to distracted driving – from a 120 day driving license suspension to a full year depending if they were a first- or second-time offender.

You can find the report in its entirety here. If you liked this article, please feel free to share it with your friends and family so they can keep themselves safe on the road!