The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says most of the victims killed in teen driving accidents are people other than the teen drivers. The AAA compiled this information based on its analysis of 10 years of crash information.
According to its findings:
• Between 1998 and 2007, 28,138 victims died in teen (Ages 15 – 17) driving accidents in the United States.
• Between 1995 and 2004, 30,917 people were killed in teen driving accidents.
• Approximately 1/3 of fatalities are the teen drivers, ages 15 to 17.
• Almost 2/3rd of the other teen driving accident victims are the passengers in the vehicle, other vehicle occupants, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists.
AAA Western and Central New York President and CEO Tom Chestnut says that these findings show how important teen driving safety is not just to the teenagers but to everyone involved.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the leading causes of teen driving deaths and accidents include:
• Driver inexperience
• Immaturity
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Failing to wear a seat belt
• Talking on the cell phone
• Listening to loud music
• Talking to other teenagers in the vehicle
• Driving at night
• Drug use
• Drowsy driving
The NHTSA recommends ways to reduce motor vehicle accidents involving teen drivers including:
• Eliminating teen access to alcohol.
• Graduated driver’s licensing program.
Maryland had strict driving laws for teenagers including:
• A teen driver must have a provisional license for six months before he or she can apply for a provisional license.
• A Maryland teen driver must undergo at least 60 hours of driving practice with someone 21-years-old or older who has had a driver’s license for at least 3 years.
• 10 of the practice driving hours must happen at night.
Teen crashes more likely to kill others, WIVB.com, March 2, 2009
Maryland Teen Driving Laws, About.com
Related Web Resources:
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Maryland Website for Parents of Young Drivers
Maryland Car Accident Lawyers Jack Lebowitz & Vadim Mzhen represent injury victims throughout the state and in Washington DC. Please contact Lebowitz & Mzhen for a free consultation to discuss your Maryland personal injury case.