When it comes to car accident
rates in Florida, age is a factor. Younger drivers tend to be at a higher risk
of getting into a car accident according to statistics released by Florida’s
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The reason behind this is
relatively simple: teen drivers simply don’t have as much driving experience as
other drivers due to their age, which means that they are more prone to making
mistakes or bad judgment calls while they are on the road.
Teen
Driver Accident Statistics
According to the Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2014, drivers between the ages of 15
and 20 were involved in 56,016 car accidents in Florida alone. That number
increased by 13.5 percent in 2016, when they were involved in 63,591 car accidents.
The increase in accidents over that same period of time was even greater among
the15 to 17-year-olds.
As you can imagine, the death
rate for teen drivers is much higher than usual too. In fact, according to the
National Center for Health Statistics, car accidents are the leading cause of
death for teens between the ages of 16 and 20. The car accident death rate for
teens in Florida has increased significantly as well, from 104 in 2014 to 136
in 2016.
Avoiding
Car Accidents
These statistics are scary,
especially if you have a teen who is just starting to learn how to drive. The
best thing that you can do is to make sure you practice with them regularly and
that you lead by example when you are driving with them in the passenger seat.
While it’s important that you help them improve their confidence in their
abilities as a driver, you don’t want them to be overconfident either. Remind
them that they need to pay attention to the road at all times in order to avoid
reckless drivers.
Of course, it’s not just
teens that are at risk. It’s those that share the road with them. You may get
into an accident with a teen driver through no fault of your own. It’s why you
should always pay attention and follow the rules of the road. If you do get
into a car accident, speak with a car accident lawyer in Stuart or Port St.
Lucie by contacting the Law Office of Gloria Seidule and requesting a free
consultation and case evaluation today.
