Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
We are in the midst of what the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety calls “the 100 deadliest days of summer,” during which teen driving fatalities rise every year. In fact, according to AAA, “new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash.” Fatal teen accidents are a growing problem, but there are steps we can take to protect our children from becoming a statistic. Read on for more information about how to avoid serious injury or death in a motor vehicle accident this summer.
Why Summer?
First, it’s important to understand why teen driving fatalities increase in summer months. There are numerous factors, including:
- Teens are not in school.
- Teens are on the road more in summer than during the school year.
- Teens have significantly less driving experience than their adult counterparts.
So what should parents do?
Be a Role Model for Your Teen Driver
Parents are the number one role model for teen drivers. Spend as much time as possible driving with your children to ensure that they have ample time to get acclimated to different driving conditions and situations. It’s also crucial to model good driving behaviors for your children. That means no speeding or texting while driving, and always wearing your safety belt. And talk to your kids about dangers, especially distracted and aggressive driving. A MA auto accident attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been harmed due to a distracted or aggressive driver.
Teen Driving Dangers – Statistics
The following statistics are provided by the AAA Foundation:
- When teens are driving with one other teen passenger, their risk of a fatal accident increases by 44 percent.
- When three or more teen passengers are in the car, the risk of a fatal accident quadruples.
- When an adult passenger age 35 or older is present, the risk of a fatal accident decreases by 62 percent.
- About 70 percent of teens admit that they they’ve used a cell phone while driving in the past month.
- More than 50 percent of teens admit to texting while driving in the past month.
- Approximately 80 percent of teens underestimate the dangers of their own distracted driving habits.
- About 94 percent of teens admit to keeping their cell phones turned on while driving.
A Boston motor vehicle accident attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.
How to Prevent Teen Driving Fatalities in Summer, and All the Time
The death of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Considering that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for young people, it’s essential to educate teens on safe driving behaviors. The following tips can help you protect your teen this summer, and all the time.
- Tell teens to never text or talk on their cell phone while driving. Teach them to put their phone in the glove box while driving, and pull over to a safe location if they need to send a text or make a call.
- Speeding is always dangerous, but it’s especially risky for inexperienced teen drivers. Teach your kids to always follow the posted speed limit.
- If possible, new teen drivers should avoid driving at night or in inclement weather until they have more experience. Evening hours and weekends are the worst time for teen accidents, year round.
- Remind teens that summer is the deadliest month for teen auto accidents. They may roll their eyes at your constant reminders, but they will
Altman & Altman, LLP – Boston’s Premier Auto Accident Law Firm
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. Our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys will thoroughly review the details of your case to determine the most appropriate legal strategy, and we’ll position you for the best outcome possible. At Altman & Altman, LLP, we have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for our clients. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. It is our goal to make the process as quick and painless as possible. You’ve been through enough, let us help you get on with your life. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
