Vehicle accidents involving teenagers are a growing concern in the country. According to statistics, car accidents are the leading cause of fatality among teenagers aged 15 to 20. A 2009 study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that eight teens are killed due to car accident injuries each day.
For teenagers in the United States, driving for the first time may mean transition from childhood to adulthood because being behind the wheel requires much responsibility. However, some teen drivers do not take the responsibility of driving maturely and seriously.
Teenage drivers are prone to committing errors when using their vehicles, and there are unfortunate times when their carelessness results in injuries and even death. According to an online article by AOL, the following are the most common mistakes of teen drivers that often lead to accidents:
1. Speeding – teens are often stereotyped as rebellious, and this attribute may be true for some who drive their vehicles as if they are playing video games. One of the leading causes of auto accidents involving teens is speeding. Such practice may be very risky because when a motorist drives too fast, his or her reaction time becomes limited.
2. Not focusing on the road – some teen drivers fail to focus all of their attention to the road, hence making them more vulnerable to accidents due to road hazards or debris. It is imperative for drivers, young or old, to be cautious on the traffic situation in order to prevent getting involved in an unanticipated road mishap.
3. Not wearing seatbelts – according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), only about 76 percent of all American teenage drivers use seatbelt while driving. In a report by NTHSA, it was found out that 58 percent of teens who were killed in vehicle accidents in 2006 were not using their seatbelts.
4. Texting – virtually all teenagers are fond of using their mobile phones for sending messages, chatting, or talking with friends; however, this must be avoided when driving. Distracted driving is one of common causes of teen driving accidents in the country which is why it is best to refrain from using cell phone while behind the wheel.
5. Driving under the influence – legally speaking, teenagers are not allowed to consume alcohol in the United States until they reach the age of 21; however, this rule is always violated by certain teen drivers. According to NHTSA, 31 percent of teens who died due to car accidents had .01 blood alcohol content (BAC).
