In Georgia, summer is a time to get out, enjoy the weather, take a vacation and try to relax. With that, many people will take to the roads. A significant number of them will be teen drivers.
Statistically, teens are at a greater risk for auto crashes with catastrophic injuries and death. This is particularly true in the summer. Parents, fellow drivers and the teens themselves should be aware of the potential dangers they will face and take steps to lower the chance of an accident.
Researchers and agencies focus on teen drivers and emphasize safety
Summer might technically begin on June 21, but the unofficial beginning of summer is viewed as Memorial Day. As teens have greater freedom with the end of school, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that drivers from age 16 to 19 have triple the rate of fatal auto accidents than adults.
This is a challenge in the Peach State and across the nation.
Statistics from AAA say that more than 2,100 teens are involved in fatal accident on an annual basis. Almost one-third occurred from Memorial Day to Labor Day – sometimes known as “the 100 deadliest days.” Reasons for this include the teen propensity to drive while distracted and to use alcohol or drugs before driving. Much of their reckless behavior stems from inexperience.
Georgia’s statistics for teen fatalities are worrisome. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that in 2021, teens comprised 17% of drivers who played a role in a fatal collision. Fulton County and other larger areas had the highest number.
Parents are advised to educate their teen drivers and possibly limit the chance of accidents by regulating how often they are on the road.
Teen drivers are a persistent problem and those injured in a crash have options
Although Georgia has certain safeguards in place such as the graduated license program, the numbers and anecdotal evidence suggest that the risk of teen drivers is not going away. Knowing how the auto accident occurred, the extent of the injuries, how much medical care will cost, what type of long-term implications it will have and more may require professional assistance. When accidents cannot be avoided, it is essential to have guidance with deciding what steps to take.