It’s hard to believe that teen drivers may be even more dangerous on the road than drunk drivers. The numbers published in a new report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety earlier this year are staggering. Teen drivers — millennials to be specific — engage in more dangerous activity behind the wheel than their predecessors.
Millennials Breaking the Law
One of the most dangerous driving practices, along with drinking and driving, is texting and driving. Despite laws against it being passed all over the country, teens still whip out their cell phones when they’re driving. Additionally, teens are engaging in other illegal behavior behind the wheel.
The AAA report suggests the far majority — a whopping 88.4% — of drivers between the ages of 19 to 24 admitted to either of the following:
- texting and driving
- driving over the speed limit posted
- running a red light (not just a stop sign)
In fact, 59.1% of teens in this category admitted to texting and driving itself, compared to 31.4% of other drivers. This means most teens on the road are engaging in behavior that could cause you or a loved one to be injured in a car accident.
Are Younger Drivers Less Dangerous?
The same study suggested that the influx of advertising against texting and driving and other dangerous driving activities may be successful. Only 69.3% of drivers aged 16-18 reported texting and driving in the 30 days prior to the study. This is nearly 20% less than the age group above them.
What to Do If You’re the Victim of a Teen Driver
If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent teen driver, you have recourse. The law does not protect juvenile drivers from legal consequences if they choose to drive in a negligent manner. If you suffered injuries and damages after a car accident caused by a teen driver, contact an experienced car accident lawyers today.
At the Idiart Law Group, we can subpoena phone records to help prove texting and driving. We work with independent accident reconstructionists who can put together exactly what happened during the collision. Call today for a consultation at (855) 772-6969.