Speeding and Distracted Driving Are Among the Top Causes of Dangerous Accidents Involving Teenage Drivers
Teens engaging in dangerous driving habits during the summer season are becoming involved in a higher rate of potentially fatal accidents according to a new AAA study
The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been repeatedly dubbed the “100 Deadliest Days,” due to the fact that the number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers increases exponentially during that time. Many of these accidents are caused by a series of common factors.
A new study conducted by AAA found that speeding, distracted driving, and drinking and driving were the three most common factors behind deadly teen crashes.
The most common of these causes was speeding. 28 percent of all fatal teen crashes recorded during the 100 Deadliest Days involved a teen driver speeding.
Unfortunately, speeding is a common occurrence among teen drivers. 49.7 percent of teen drivers reported speeding in a residential area.
Photo: JESHOOTS
Drinking and driving was involved in 17 percent of fatal teen accidents. One in six teen drivers involved in such an accident tested positive for alcohol in their system.
Finally, distracted diving caused 9 percent of fatal teen accidents during the summer season. This is an alarming statistic, as the number of distracted teen drivers is on the rise.
52 percent of teen driver reported reading a text message or e-mail while behind the wheel in an AAA Traffic Safety Culture study.
Distracted driving is even more prevalent in non-fatal accidents. AAA found that 58 percent of crashes involving teen drivers involved a distracted driver.
“Crash data shows that teens are a vulnerable driver group with a higher probability of being involved in crashes,” explains Dr. David Yang, Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
As for a solution to this rising rate of teen driver accidents, AAA suggest that parents take time to discuss risky driving behaviors with their teens. They should also avoid engaging in such behaviors while they themselves are driving. After all, any driver can benefit from removing risk factors while on the road.
Source: AAA
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