The Factors that Lead to Higher Accident Rates Among Teens
The most obvious factor that results in higher incidences of motor vehicle accidents involving teens is experience. Driving a car is an experience unlike any other. Unfortunately, many teenagers get all or most of their experience on the road, with other drivers. Other factors that are more prevalent among teens include:- A likelihood to engage in high risk behavior, especially among male teenagers. This can often involve peer pressure, rites of passage, or one-upmanship. Statistics show that when male teenagers travel together in a vehicle, there is an increase in speeds, and a decrease in attention to the road and to traffic laws, signs and signals.
- Teenage drivers are more inclined to exceed the speed limit, to tailgate, to cross the center line and to make wide or dangerous turns. They are also more likely to misjudge their speed, as well as their ability to handle a vehicle in a turn.
- Many teenagers are experimenting with drugs or alcohol at the same time they are learning to drive. A recent report indicated that 24% of teenage motor vehicle accident fatalities involved drinking and driving.
- Teenagers historically have extremely low seat belt use rates. Some surveys put it at less than 10%.
- Teens are more inclined to be using devices while driving, either talking on a cell phone, sending a text message, or playing with a stereo.