On Monday, we discussed distracted driving accidents and how they are a huge problem nationwide.
While teenagers are most at risk for distracted driving incidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers is actually declining in the U.S.
According to a report earlier this month by Reuters, the number of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents has been reduced in half over the last decade. The news source reported that there are many factors at play for the reduction, including more teens receiving restricted licenses.
Graduated licenses limit when a teen can drive by placing restrictions on them at night and limiting the number of passengers they are allowed to have in vehicles. The result has been a 20 to 40 percent drop in fatal crashes over the last decade involving certain demographics of teen drivers.
“Many factors are probably at play, but there is wide agreement the graduated licensing programs are an important contributor to the decline in fatal crashes,” said Ruth Shults, an injury prevention researcher at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Reuters.
Overall, the number of drivers aged 16 to 19 involved in fatal crashes fell by 55 percent from 2004, when there were 5,724 fatalities, to 2,568 in 2013. Some experts also said that they believed a weak economy might have also contributed to the drop, as teens of a lower socioeconomic status are less likely to drive.
Working With an Attorney Following a Fatal Accident
This is excellent news. We support any efforts aimed at reducing teen driving accidents. As a parent, if your teen is involved in a vehicle accident that injures or kills someone, he or she, and yourself, could potentially be held liable.
Victims of negligent driving should contact an attorney who can investigate their case. Continue to follow our blog to stay up to date about personal injury litigation in Florida, or visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/08/us-health-teens-drivers-crashes-idUSKBN0MZ21020150408