Teenage drivers have a bad reputation. That reputation comes from both popular perceptions of young adults and real-world experience on the road. Teen drivers cause some of the worst crashes, and collisions are a leading cause of mortality for young adults.
In many cases, inexperience is the primary factor contributing to a tragedy involving a teen driver. Many crashes occur because new drivers have not had time yet to develop the skills and experience necessary to respond appropriately to changing traffic conditions. However, there are often other factors present that increase the likelihood of a teenager experiencing a serious wreck.
What factors have a strong association with preventable teenage collisions?
Chemical intoxication
Technically, teenagers can’t legally drink, let alone purchase drugs. Unfortunately, breaking the rules is part of growing up for many young adults. They experiment and learn by making mistakes. If that mistake involves driving while under the influence, they could very easily cause a scenario from which they never truly recover. Impairment is a top cause of crashes involving teen drivers.
Distraction
Digital distraction is an obvious concern for those with minimal experience on the road. Young adults may struggle more with the regulation of their technology use than older motorists, leading to preventable crashes when they reach for their phones. Even young adults who don’t use their devices can fall victim to driving distractions. Other teenage passengers can be incredibly distracting and can lead to a young adult making mistakes with major consequences.
Excessive speed
Speeding is something that many drivers do. Some motorists admit to speeding almost every time they drive. Exceeding the posted speed limit is dangerous for the motorist involved and anyone they encounter in traffic. Excessive speed is particularly dangerous for young adults who may not yet have much experience driving. They can easily lose control of their vehicles, especially if they drive on roads with sharp curves or when the roads are wet.
Parents who practice safe driving techniques extensively with their children are in the best situation to protect them from preventable motor vehicle collisions. When teenagers internalize safety rules, they can potentially reduce their risk of causing a life-altering crash. Concerned parents may want to track common safety concerns for the protection of their young drivers.