Teenagers are often heavily criticized for their accident rates, and there’s a reason for it. For instance, if you look at the rate at which drivers cause fatal accidents, teenagers are consistently the age group with the highest percentage. They do not make up anywhere close to the largest age group, when looking at overall drivers, but they cause a disproportionate amount of serious car accidents.
There are many different specific reasons that these accidents happen. Some occur because drivers are texting and driving, while others are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In some cases, drivers are simply going too fast for conditions or driving recklessly. Speeding is very common. But there is one underlying reason that explains why teenagers always seem to rank the highest, and why they notably become safer drivers as they get older.
A lack of experience
The problem is that teenage drivers have a significant lack of experience behind the wheel. They can get in this experience with time, as they practice driving and learn from different scenarios that they find themselves in. Someone who has never driven in the fog before is going to be much better at it than someone who has done it many times, for instance. Experience teaches teenagers how to drive safely and it can also help to reduce their nervousness behind the wheel.
But that doesn’t mean that teenagers are going to become safer drivers immediately. It takes time, and they cause accidents while they gain that valuable experience. That’s why you almost instantly see lower fatal crash rates as soon as they enter their early 20s. It’s not that they’re necessarily that much different at 20 years old, but four years of experience behind the wheel can be very helpful.
Have you been injured in an accident?
Those have been injured in serious car accidents or lost loved ones need to know how to seek financial compensation. This can help to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, lost earning capacity and much more.