Among all age groups, the highest fatal accident rate belongs to drivers between the ages of 16 and 19. This does not mean that they cause the most total fatal accidents every year. But, because their age group is so small, the number of fatal crashes they cause is disproportionate. They pose an exceptional risk on the road when compared to older age groups.
But why is this? People will sometimes point to issues like speeding, risk-taking activities or distracted driving. And these things do play a role, but they’re not exclusive to teenagers. Plenty of adults get distracted by their phones or break the speed limit. What is it about teenagers that means they have such a high fatal accident rate?
The issue is inexperience
What some experts suggest is that inexperience lies at the heart of the entire issue. Teenagers have only been driving for a few years or, in some cases, a few months. They just haven’t developed their skills and they’re not very good at driving yet. That will come with time.
But the problem is that teens are still going to cause accidents during this time, as they gain experience. There’s no substitute for allowing them to drive, but that also means that the risks on the road for everyone else go up. This is a level of risk that other drivers simply have to be aware of.
After an accident
If you get hit by a teen driver and you suffer serious injuries or a loved one passes away, you may be able to seek financial compensation. Take the time to look into all of the necessary legal steps that you’ll have to take.