As we close out the month of April, teenagers across the state will be gearing up and heading out for prom, graduation, summer break and a whole lot of fun.
It’s during this time of the year that these young drivers face some seriously high risks for car accidents in Manhattan and elsewhere. To help to reduce their risks and to get safe driving habits back to the head of the line, officials and safe-driving advocates with the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program are launching new programs and events to reach thousands of teens across the country and revive the importance of these safe habits.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), auto accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for this young age group (young drivers between the ages of 15- and 20-years-old). It’s during this season that teens request, and receive, extended curfews and spend more time behind the wheel, increasing their risks for an accident.
Our Manhattan injury lawyers understand that the second half of 2011 returned an increasing trend in the number of fatal car accidents among this young age group of drivers. Experts take this increase as a sign as to what is going to happen throughout the following year and they’re making moves to head it off before it gets out of control. That’s why officials are stepping in with safe-driving programs and are asking parents to get in on the effort, too. Parents and guardians are asked to talk with their teen drivers before allowing them out to celebrate the end of the year madness.
“Unfortunately, safety can take a back seat to the excitement associated with the many celebrations around prom and graduation,” said Jim Graham, manager, DSFL.
Top causes of teen car accidents, according to a study in the Accident Analysis and Prevention journal:
-Failing to scan surroundings to locate hazards, accounting for more than 20 percent of teen accidents.
-Driving too fast for the current traffic, weather and roadway conditions, accounting for more than 20 percent of teen accidents.
-Driving while engaging in distractions, accounting for about 20 percent of teen accidents.
Every year, about 3,000 teens die on roadways across the United States. Distracted driving is one of the top causes for these fatal accidents. As a matter of fact, these young drivers have the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Parents are asked to talk with the teen drivers in the household and reiterate the importance of safe driving habits. Don’t let safety take a back seat during this dangerous time of the year. Equip your teen driver with the skills to keep them safe and alive on our roadways.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC is dedicated to helping victims recover from car accidents in New York City and elsewhere throughout the state. If you or the teen driver in your family has been injured in a car accident, call 1-877-313-7673 to schedule a free consultation from an experienced car accident attorney.
More Blog Entries:
Distraction-Related Car Accidents in New York City – Teen at High Risks, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, March 25, 2012
Car Accidents in Long Island, Nation, Proving More Fatal for Teens, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, February 25, 2012
