Fatal Teen Crashes On the Rise in Virginia
25 teen drivers have died this year in Virginia. That’s an increase of 19 percent compared to 2014, the DMV recently announced. Speeding and running off the road are the two most common causes of these fatal accidents, with more than 50 percent of crashes involving both behaviors. Almost two thirds of the teens killed were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
It’s easy for speed to creep up on you and before you know it, you’re running off the road and losing control of the vehicle. Even experienced drivers can make this mistake. Teen drivers, with their limited experience on the road, are even more likely to take such risks. Adolescents can often feel invincible – until it is too late.
Many May Have Been Preventable
What’s most sad about these statistics is that so many of the crashes were preventable. Had the drivers slowed down and worn seat belts, they would likely still be with us today. In today’s world, there are so many distractions enticing teens to take their eyes off the road to check cell phones, music, or alerts. These distractions along with the drivers’ lack of experience can indeed be a deadly combination.
Remind your teens about the dangers of distracted driving. Warn them about the dangers of speed and the importance of seat belts. You might sound like a broken record, but the message will sink in. And when you are in the car with your teen, model good behavior by buckling up yourself and obeying speed limits.
Free Parent-Teen Driving Agreement
The most common kind of accident for teen drivers involves only a single vehicle – their own. Excessive speed, driver distraction, alcohol use, and lack of seatbelt use all contribute to fatal accidents. One of the ways to combat the high accident rate of teen drivers is to communicate and instill good driving practices.
Many parents and young drivers sign a “Parent‐Teen Driving Agreement,” wherein the teenager promises to drive safely and obey all traffic laws and regulations. These agreements are valuable for reminding first‐time drivers that driving brings with it a set of responsibilities that must be followed. The Serpe Firm cares about your family and wants you and your teenage driver to stay safe on the roads.
Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we are here for you. If you’d like to discuss your situation with our office, contact us to setup a free consultation 877-544-5323. Our lawyers have been helping victims of serious injuries, and families of a wrongful death, for over 29 years.