Submitted by Aiken Jacobsen on
Many readers in Sacramento can probably remember when they received their first set of car keys. As a teenager, having the ability to drive without adult supervision seems like a tremendous amount of freedom. However, the privilege of driving comes with a great amount of responsibility. Based on the common perception that young drivers frequently cause car accidents, can teenagers handle this level of responsibility?
Studies conducted by AAA generally seem to confirm the idea that inexperienced teenage drivers are at a high risk of being involved in car accidents. Namely, the risk of a serious accident climbs with the number of young passengers in a vehicle driven by a teenager. A freshly licensed 16 year old may want to drive his or her friends around, but it may not be worth the danger.
According to a report from AAA, drivers between the age of 16 and 17 were more likely to engage in risky behaviors with teenage passengers present in their car. Speeding, late-night driving and drinking are among the dangerous behaviors teens are more likely to partake in when driving with their peers. All of these actions can have fatal consequences.
Of course, some teenagers are responsible drivers. Yet this doesn't mean that additional measures to promote better driver safety and education among young people should be put on hold.
Under certain conditions, it may be possible for injured car passengers to file a civil claim against a negligent driver. This is the type of scenario that might exist when a young driver's risky behavior contributes to a motor vehicle accident. Of course, the circumstances behind every crash are different, so it may be beneficial for victims to learn what legal rights and responsibilities they have.
Source: AAA NewsRoom, "Teens Driving Teens A Deadly Mix," Nancy White, Oct. 12, 2012
