Unfortunately for teen drivers, the reality is that they have the highest accident rate of any age group. Not only is the overall crash rate very high, but the fatal accident rate is three times as high as it is for older drivers.
These figures are found by looking at how many fatal accidents happen per mile driven. There aren’t as many teen drivers, and many of them aren’t on the road as often as adults. But when they are driving, they cause serious accidents at a very high rate, putting everyone else at risk.
Why does this happen?
One of the main reasons for this high crash rate is inexperience. For instance, drivers who have only had their license for a few months have a notably higher crash rate, even compared to their peers who may have been driving for a year or two. Driving is a complicated skill, and just like other complex skills, it takes time to learn.
This lack of experience often leads to critical mistakes that older drivers wouldn’t make. For instance, teens aren’t as good at driving in the dark when visibility is reduced. They may also not understand how to maintain a safe following distance, or they may make mistakes like driving too fast for conditions.
Researchers also note that distracted driving is a major problem with teen drivers. It’s not just that they’re used to using cellphones and other devices on a consistent basis, but that they already lack experience and are more prone to mistakes. If an inexperienced driver is looking at their phone instead of traffic conditions, it just increases the odds of an accident.
Have you been injured?
Even if you’re not a teen driver, there is always a chance you could be injured in an accident caused by one. If this happens, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.