Dangerous Teen Driving Practices In Washington

January 10, 2013

Dangerous teen driving practices in Washington

The life of a teenager is often centered on having a social life and being carefree. As a result, teenagers do not always assess driving situations as carefully as they should. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 187,000 drivers ages 15 to 20 were injured in car accidents in 2010, and another 1,963 drivers in that age group were killed that same year.

These statistics demonstrate the need to educate teen drivers about safe driving practices, especially since their behavior not only endangers them, but everyone else on the road as well.

Teen driving risks

One problem behavior of teen drivers is distracted driving, including talking on a cellphone or texting while driving. The NHTSA reported that in 2010, 13 percent of all fatal car accidents among drivers ages 15 to 19 were due to distracted driving.

Teens can also be distracted by having their peers in the car with them. In fact, the risk of teens dying in a crash increases by 44 percent when they have another passenger in the car under the age of 21, according to a recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association. That number quadruples when there are three or more passengers under the age of 21. The study also found that speeding, late-night driving and the use of alcohol all increased with added passengers in the car.

Possible remedies

Parents need to take the lead and have discussions with teens about safe driving practices. Parents should emphasize that teens need to follow the rules of the road and should forbid the use of electronic devices while driving. Parents should also have honest discussions with teens about drinking and make clear that drinking and driving is unacceptable. The NHTSA suggests that parents draw up a driving contract with their teens that lays out driving rules and consequences for breaking those rules.

Graduated driver licensing laws are in places in most states. The GDL laws are designed to make teen driving safer by putting restrictions on certain privileges until teens have passed certain tests and gained experience. In Washington, for example, teen drivers must drive with an adult in the vehicle for at least six months before they can get their license. Once they move to the intermediate stage, they are able to drive alone, but there are nighttime driving and passenger restrictions in place. Full privileges are granted at 18.

When accidents happen

If you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of a driver of any age, it is wise to seek out the counsel of an experienced Washington personal injury attorney. An attorney can advocate vigorously on your behalf and help you to seek the compensation you may be entitled to.

Article provided by Law Offices of Magnuson Lowell P.S.
Visit us at http://www.magnusonlowellpersonalinjury.com/