If you’re a parent of a teenager, chances are you’ve worried about your teen driving, especially late at night and with other teen passengers. As it turns out, your fears are not misplaced.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as of 2021, teen drivers accounted for 5% of the licensed drivers in the United States, or 11.7 million. In that same year, 2,116 young drivers aged 15 to 20 years old died in auto accidents.
Below is some important information for parents about teens and the responsibilities that accompany driving.
Fatality rates for young drivers on the rise
In the decade between 2012 and 2021 shot up 13%. Among the young drivers’ passengers, the death rate rose by a half-percent. In fact, in the single year between 2020 and 2021, there was an increase of 11% for drivers aged 15 to 20.
More teens die from accidents than anything else
Unintentional events like car accidents claim more teen lives than any other cause of death. While car wrecks are not the only type of accident that kills young people, they are one of the top ways that young adults die.
What worried parents can do?
Keeping the lines of communication open is key with teens. Ensure that they understand that driving is a privilege and a heavy responsibility because unsafe driving poses a hazard to all with whom they share the road.
Advocate for teen victims of auto accidents
If your child is injured as a passenger in a crash involving another driver, they will need parental help and support to recover physically from their injuries. Seeking compensation for those injuries, losses and other damages may be possible.
