Teen driving facts you must know in California
Typically, whenever you begin to learn a new skill, it takes some time to be able to do it well. This is true for playing instruments, playing sports and driving cars. This is why 16-year-old drivers crash more often than any other age group in California.
The problem isn’t just confined to first-year drivers, however. Studies have shown that auto accidents are one of the leading causes of death for 19-year-old drivers. A third of all deaths for this age group come from crashes.
Many different things factor into this, above and beyond the age of the drivers. For one thing, distracted driving could be a serious issue. More than half of teen drivers — 56 percent — admitted that they talk on cellphones while behind the wheel. This does not even take into account how many of them are texting and driving, as texting is becoming more popular than talking.
Another issue could be teens who ride around with their friends, not driving alone. Data shows that the odds that a teen will be involved in an accident get higher with every passenger that climbs into the car. This particular study involved both 16-year-old drivers and 17-year-old drivers.
Additionally, teens may keep quiet if other teens are driving dangerously or recklessly. Less than half — 44 percent — indicated that they would say something if a fellow teen was driving dangerously and they were in the car.
As you can see, teen drivers are involved in many accidents, and it’s important to know what rights you have to compensation if you are injured in a crash.
Source: Do Something, “11 Facts About Teen Driving” accessed Mar. 13, 2015