Recent fatalities highlight teen driving risks

April 06, 2013

A string of fatal traffic accidents around the country claimed 15 young lives in the space of just a few days recently. The most recent of these tragedies took place in Illinois, where four Chicago-area teens died after their car plunged into a creek.

The bodies of two boys and two girls, ages 15-19, were found in the overturned vehicle on March 19, 2013. Law enforcement believes the crash may have been weather-related, NBC News reported. The creek was swollen by rain and runoff, and authorities say there may have been standing water on the road near the creek.

The Illinois crash followed on the heels of two other deadly wrecks that occurred out of state. On March 17, five teens died in Texas after the driver of their SUV missed a stop sign and collided with a gas tanker. Another six teens were killed in Ohio on the same day when their vehicle veered off the road and flipped into a pond.

Teen drivers face increased crash risks

In recent decades, overall traffic fatalities in the U.S. have dropped dramatically, thanks in part to improvements in safety technology such as airbags and antilock brakes. Despite these improvements, however, teens remain at an elevated risk: Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than older drivers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More people ages 15-20 are killed in vehicle accidents than by any other cause.

According to the CDC, there are several factors contributing to the higher risk of fatalities among teen drivers, including:
- Teens and other newly licensed drivers are often less adept than more experienced drivers at recognizing and reacting to hazardous situations
- Teens are less likely than other age groups to use seatbelts; only 54 percent of high school students surveyed in 2011 said they always wear seatbelts
- Teens are more prone to speeding and short following distances than older drivers, particularly when there are other teens present in the vehicle
- When alcohol is a factor, teens are more likely than older drivers with the same BAC to be involved in a crash

The Illinois wreck and other recent tragedies notwithstanding, there is evidence that safety is improving for teen drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of teens killed in motor vehicle accidents dropped by nearly half between 2001 and 2010. Experts attribute some of this progress to the widespread adoption of graduated driver licensing laws like those passed in Illinois, which place safety-focused restrictions on new drivers.

Compensation for accident victims

After a car accident in Illinois, people who have been injured or lost a loved one may be able to receive compensation for their injuries, medical bills and other financial losses resulting from the crash. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer for more information.

Article provided by Jamie M. Trapp & Associates
Visit us at www.trapplaw.com