National Teen Driver Safety Week is coming up at the end of the month, from October 20–26, 2019. Twelve years into its inception, we need this awareness week as much as ever. Car accidents continue to be a leading cause of death for teens year after year, with nearly triple the fatalities we see with other demographics.

Teen driving safety is a year-long issue we should all be concerned with. Parents need to have conversations with their teens, not only one week in October, but all throughout the year. I hope the facts and tips below will be a starting point for your conversations.

What to Know About Teen Driving Fatalities

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, some of the greatest dangers for teen drivers include:

  • Drugs and alcohol—in 2016, nearly 1 in 5 drivers involved in a fatal crash had been drinking, and in 2017, 15% of teen drivers in fatal crashes had been drinking. It’s important to talk to your teen about other drugs, too: marijuana slows reaction time, which is critical to driving safety. Tell your teen that any impairing substance is dangerous.
  • Inconsistent seat belt use, or no seat belt use—of all the passengers killed in cars driven by a teen in 2016, 54% were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
  • Distracted driving, including texting while driving—in 2017, 9% of teen drivers involved in fatal car accidents were distracted at the time of the accident. Remember that distractions go beyond texting while driving.
  • Reckless behavior behind the wheel—31% of all teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2016 were speeding.
  • Number of passengers
  • Drowsy driving

Key Statistics

  • In the United States, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens between 15 and 18 years old.
  • 2,247 people died in 2017 from a car accident involving a teen driver.
  • Parents have a lot of power. Research shows that they are the biggest influence on their teens’ behavior behind the wheel.

A Darrel Castle & Associates car accident lawyer Memphis, TN motorists recommend can help auto accident victims that have been injured due to other’s negligence.

Get Legal Help From an Auto Accident Lawyer Memphis TN Trusts

At Darrell Castle & Associates, we understand the physical and emotional toll of a car accident. If you or a loved one has been the victim of dangerous teen driving, call us to get the compensation you need and deserve.

Contact us online today or call 901-327-1212 to speak in person with the auto accident lawyer Memphis TN trusts with their cases.