For teens, the last day of school is like Christmas in June. Think about it…no school, longer days, and no homework; all the things a teenage boy or girl dreams about during the school year. For many teens, this summer will be the first with their driver’s license. This also adds a new dimension of excitement and experimentation that will undoubtedly make parents nervous.
And parents have good reason to be concerned. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto accidents are still the leading cause of death for teens. Also the General Motors Foundation recently issued a report called “Teens in Cars” which indicated that car crashes are the leading killer of teens between 13 and 19.
The report indicated that in 2012, more than 2,400 teens lost their lives in car accidents. 56 percent of those killed were driving, while 44 percent were passengers. Even more telling, more than half were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
With Memorial Day through Labor Day being dubbed the 100 deadliest days, it is important for teen drivers and parents to have frank talks about auto safety, especially in an age where taking selfies while driving has become essentially a routine. Couple this practice with checking text messages and talking on cell phones while behind the wheel, and staying in touch could be a hazard.
Parents must also be wary because of the insurance implications that can come about when a teen is involved in an accident (or is held responsible for the crash). Depending on your insurance provisions, your coverage could be affected. A conversation with an experienced personal injury attorney can help answer your questions.
Source: latimes.com “Auto accidents are No.1 cause of death for teens,” Charles Fleming, Jun 3, 2014