What Age Group Causes Most Car Accidents?
Drivers of all ages can be negligent, resulting in accidents. But, “what age group causes the most car accidents?” According to statistics by the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety, younger drivers — between the ages of 16 and 19 years old — are more probable to engage in habits that result in collisions.
Why Do Teenage Drivers Cause the Most Car Accidents?
There are various reasons why teenage drivers cause a traffic-related collision, most of which come about inexperience.
1. Insufficient Driving Experience
Teenagers during their first or second years on the road, particularly over the first few months, are the most likely to cause an accident. A young driver will lack the necessary hands-on knowledge to identify and respond to road hazards correctly.
Besides, most teenagers are eager to get behind the wheel, even though they have not trained thoroughly. It takes time and practice to establish safe and cautious driving habits.
2. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving affects drivers of all ages, but it is prevalent among teen drivers. Examples of distracted driving behaviors include:
- Drinking or eating while driving.
- Texting while driving.
- Checking or responding to an email or comment while driving.
- Talking over the phone while driving.
- Switching radio frequencies while driving.
- Selecting music playlist while driving.
- Conversing with passengers while driving.
- Grooming or wearing makeup while driving.
Many teen drivers are unaware of how dangerous driving while distracted can be. When a driver is distracted while driving, the driver and everyone else on the road is at risk of serious accidents.
3. Dangerous Driving
Reckless or dangerous driving includes things such as switching lanes drastically, tailgating, racing, and speeding. Younger drivers are more likely to participate in these forms of dangerous driving behaviors. Dangerous driving makes it difficult for drivers to effectively look out for and act appropriately to hazards on the road.
4. Driving Under the Influence
Teenagers are more likely than other age groups to drink and drive. Furthermore, most teens are ready to get into a vehicle with another drunk teen driver. Most teenagers’ carefree attitudes get them into an avoidable car accident.
5. Teenage Passengers
Although most people overlook the effect passengers can have on your driving, they are one of the forms of distracted driving. According to studies, teen passengers will likely heighten a driver’s risk of engaging in dangerous behavior, such as drunk driving and storytelling.
6. Not Using Safety Belts
Safety belts protect lives, but they are ineffective if drivers and passengers fail to wear them. Teenagers are more likely to drive without wearing a seat belt. Although wearing seatbelts will not avoid an accident, it will minimize the seriousness of accident injuries and avoid fatalities.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Teen drivers are not off the hook in case they cause a car accident. You can be able to recover compensation for your injuries and property damage should a teenage driver’s recklessness or negligence cause your crash.
At Karnas Law Firm, personal injury victims of automobile collisions across Arizona and California can access the legal help they need. Schedule a free initial consultation today to discuss your case.
Call (520) 462-3886 to discuss your case for free.