Submitted by Aiken Jacobsen on
Teen drivers in California face many hazards on the road due to their inexperience and reports showing that they are more likely to take risks behind the wheel. While teenagers are involved in car accidents throughout the year, teens are more likely to be killed in a car accident during the summer.
Recent studies found that summer months are the most dangerous for teen drivers in the U.S., with 27 percent of fatal car accidents involving teens happening in July, August and September. July is the most dangerous for teens, with the most fatal accidents happening during July and around the Fourth of July holiday.
The report that summer months are the most dangerous for teen drivers was based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA reported that between 2005 and 2011, teen drivers were most often killed in car accidents due to speeding, distracted driving and not paying attention to the road. They reported that 75 percent of serious car accidents among teens were caused by these factors, showing that teens face many risks behind the wheel that don't include alcohol or drug use.
Teenagers are not the only drivers to become distracted behind the wheel, but due to their inexperience and the fact that they are more likely to speed, distracted driving has become a very dangerous behavior among teen drivers that can result in serious and fatal injuries.
Texting while driving is one of the main causes of distracted driving among teens. Surveys show that teens prefer to text rather than talk on their cellphone, and 34 percent of teens surveyed admitted to texting while driving in the past.
In addition to cellphone use, there are many ways teen drivers can become distracted behind the wheel. Parents and safety groups should be aware of the risks teen drivers face on the road and advocate safe driving behaviors to help reduce the risk of car accidents involving teens.
Source: Mountain View Voice, "Summer months treacherous for teen drivers," Nick Veronin, July 23, 2013
